Each year, the Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED) Print Wall Calendar is designed to inspire faculty to take a deep dive into higher education issues, and this year’s edition is no different. This year’s theme is “Empowering Students by Meeting Basic Needs” with each month in the calendar highlighting specific essential resources, showcasing how Austin Community College (ACC) and the surrounding community address twelve basic needs through:

  • Innovative curriculum integration
    • ACC faculty have addressed the basic needs of students within their instruction, from free sewing classes to mental health workshops.
  • Supportive campus resources
    • From food pantries to technology loans, ACC campuses are equipped with a variety of resources designed to directly support students’ daily needs.
  • Active community engagement
    • We collaborate with local organizations and initiatives to extend support beyond the campus, ensuring that our students have access to comprehensive services and opportunities within the wider community.

The goal of this calendar is to ensure faculty are informed about the essential resources available for students. We hope this will help create an educational environment where all students can succeed. For December, the basic need being highlighted is Clothing.

Clothing

We’re dedicated to ensuring every student has access to resources that foster success, creativity, and sustainability. This month, we shine a spotlight on ACC’s Fashion Design Department, where students are not only creating stylish garments but also shaping the future of sustainable fashion. Department Chair and Professor of Fashion Design, Victoria Taylor, emphasizes the department’s commitment to purpose-driven design and innovative practices:

“Fashion is more than just clothing – it’s a form of self-expression, an appreciation of quality craftsmanship, and a reflection of one’s values. In the Fashion Design Department at ACC, our students learn to design with purpose. We explore the artistic, functional, and ethical sides of fashion, emphasizing sustainable practices (of or such as) repurposing and reuse. By mastering the skills of garment construction, pattern-making, and collection development, our students are industry-ready and become innovative designers shaping a more responsible future for fashion.”

Access to appropriate clothing significantly impacts a student’s self-esteem and participation in college life. Being able to express oneself through clothing fosters confidence and personal identity. ACC supports students through donations, and basic sewing skills workshops. Graduating Sonography students can donate their scrubs to help new students reduce the cost of purchasing new sets. Stay on the lookout for basic sewing skill workshops offered by the Fashion Design Department.

Resources to Share With Your Students

At Austin Community College

  • Clinical Scrub Donations: Graduating Sonography students can donate their scrubs to the program, providing a cost-effective solution for new students who may need assistance. This system helps alleviate the financial burden of purchasing new scrub sets, which can be expensive.
  • Professional Attire Advice: Guidance available through Career Services to help students dress for success in interviews and workplace settings.

In the Community

Discussing and addressing these needs is essential for creating an educational environment where all students can succeed. By supporting these fundamental areas, we foster a culture of care and resilience, empowering students to focus on their goals without stress from unmet needs. This calendar aims to inform faculty about these resources, allowing them to share directly with students and address these needs in their instruction.

To learn more about all twelve of the basic needs highlighted in the TLED Calendar, visit the TLED Print Wall Calendar webpage and explore more essential resources.

ACC is committed to supporting every student’s basic needs. We are more than an educational institution —we are a community that cares, supports, and grows together.

“Every Need. Every Student. Every Day.”

Forgot to request a calendar? No worries! Additional calendars and sticker packs are available for pick-up at all ACC campus libraries and Teaching & Learning Centers (TLCs).