Faces of Our Mission – January: Celebrating ACC’s First-Time-in-College Students
January 14, 2026
The Teaching & Learning Excellence Division’s (TLED’s) Faces of Our Mission series celebrates Austin Community College (ACC) students and the support systems that help them succeed. This January, the series highlights First-Time-in-College students, recognizing their determination as they navigate new academic pathways, build confidence, and take the first steps toward achieving their long-term goals. Discover how ACC’s programs, resources, and services empower these students to thrive during their transition into higher education.
View the full Faces of Our Mission blog post series here, and check back each month to meet the next group of inspiring ACC students!
January 2026 – First-Time-in-College Students
For January, we celebrate the resilience, ambition, and diverse experiences of ACC’s First-Time-in-College students.
These students enter ACC with fresh perspectives and a wide range of aspirations, often balancing new academic expectations with work, family responsibilities, and the challenge of charting unfamiliar territory. They represent the heart of ACC’s mission to expand access and opportunity.
The journeys of First-Time-in-College students reflect ACC’s commitment to supporting students as they take their first steps toward long-term academic and career success.
Spotlight on Student Resources
Free Tuition: ACC’s Free Tuition pilot program, launched in fall 2024, removes a major barrier for First-Time-in-College students by covering tuition and general fees for the high school class of 2024 and future graduating classes over the five-year pilot. The initiative, which also includes GED completers, opens the door for more students to enroll full-time, stay on track, and focus on their academic goals without the burden of tuition costs.
Free Tuition supports ACC’s North Star goal of achieving a 70% completion rate by 2030 by helping students start strong, meet basic needs, and build a sense of belonging from the beginning of their college journey.
Student Life Programming: Student Life Programming helps First-Time-in-College students build confidence, connect with peers, and feel more grounded during their transition into college. Through campus activities, leadership opportunities, student organizations, and cultural events, Student Life creates spaces where students can form supportive relationships and engage meaningfully with the ACC community.
These programs encourage students to get involved, explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and take advantage of resources like career planning, transfer support, and academic tutoring. By fostering engagement both inside and outside the classroom, Student Life gives students a strong foundation for success and helps them feel seen, valued, and connected from their first semester onward.
Celebrating Every Story
Through initiatives like the Faces of Our Mission calendar, TLED highlights the importance of understanding student journeys—grounded in research and real student experiences—for everyone who supports learning at ACC. By elevating diverse voices, celebrating student strengths, and connecting teams to practical resources, we help create a culture where every student feels seen, supported, and positioned to achieve their goals.