Dear Colleagues,

With mixed emotions we announce the departure of Courtney Grams, Director of Faculty Communications, as she pursues new opportunities to meet her personal and career goals. Courtney has been with ACC for 8 years, from her starting role as an hourly employee to Director of Faculty Communications in the Teaching and Learning Excellence Division. She is stepping down from her role for a new opportunity in the nonprofit sector of Austin and her last day with the college will be April 15th.

Courtney has been instrumental in the alignment of multiple communication channels providing faculty-focused messaging and instructional updates for the last several years. She has been part of key college-wide committees to share insight and perspective on the importance of clear and open collaboration and communication. She also provided a vision for improved promotion and engagement of key events across the district such as General Assembly, Spring Development Day, and other faculty and department chair events.

We will greatly miss Courtney but are excited for her and her new role with the opportunities it lends. With this change, we also look at the opportunities within the Division to ensure continuity and quality of service.

We are fortunate that Dr. Rachel Barrera, who has worked in the faculty communications office for 3 years and hand-in-hand with Courtney, steps in to take on the role of Interim Director. Rachel has been a key player in coordinating the online publication of our College Catalog, and most recently the online Faculty Handbook update. She will be receiving the Professional-Technical Employee of the Year award this month.

The team is also expanding to include two new Communication Specialists in addition to an already amazing staff including Amanda Trimble (Graphic Designer / Front-End Web UI Developer), and 3 ACC student interns A’leya, Kat, and Hope. They are ready and able to respond to your inquiries. You can reach out to them via tledcomms@austincc.edu or submit a request @ austincc.edu/facultycomms.

You are invited to leave a farewell message for Courtney on this Padlet and also join us for an informal gathering to celebrate Courtney’s service to ACC:

Easy Tiger North

Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

We continue to manage and adapt to change as part of our daily work, and in many cases also forge relationships that transcend time and place. We are certain that the connection and collaboration with Courtney will continue beyond this change.

In shared purpose and belonging,

S.

Susan M. Thomason, PhD

Associate Vice Chancellor, Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED)

sthomaso@austincc.edu