Academic Guidance

Academic Advising

Area of Study advisors are available in every region to support you through your academic experience. Any time you want to review and discuss your class schedule, major, career plans, transfer options, or any concerns you have about making progress on completing your award plan, you should make an appointment to meet with your Area of Study advisor. Visit www.austincc.edu/advising for more information.

Faculty advisors are also available to support you through your degree. Make an appointment through your instructional department to meet with a faculty advisor. Visit www.austincc.edu/instructional-departments-and-divisions for more information.

Success Coaching

Completion Counseling

Completion counselors are academic counselors who specialize in comprehensive academic services and referral strategies to enhance the retention and completion of students who are close to finishing a degree or certificate.  They employ proactive interventions to address barriers that may impede students’ abilities to complete their certificate or degree. Completion counselors assist students by monitoring academic progress, educational planning and providing academic advising to support retention, persistence, and completion.

Completion counselors can help with the following:

• Provide educational planning, career planning, and transfer preparation.
• Ensure students are on the right pathway to complete their degree/certificate.
• Guide students through academic, financial, and personal situations affecting their ability to reach their educational goals, including Academic Standards of Progress.
• Coordinate referrals to available college and community services to address academic and non-academic barriers to successful graduation.
• Stabilize students in distress or crisis situations and referrals.
• Serve as an advocate for students.

Career Counseling

The Career Counseling team possess in-depth expertise in career counseling and career development which is utilized to, directly and indirectly, support career decision making of our students (current & perspective) and alumni.

Career Counselors provide in-depth specialized personal counseling associated with critical career development & employment-related issues to current, former, and prospective students which exceeds the service level routinely available through existing campus personnel & resources. Career Counselors also support & confer with Student Accessibility Services, instructional departments, Continuing Education, Adult Education, Advisors, Support Center Advocates, Completion Counselors, Clinical Counselors, Success Coaches, EDUC faculty, and others to develop a unified plan to meet group and individual needs associated with career development and career decision making.

Clinical Counseling

Attending college is fun and exciting, however at times can be challenging especially when trying to balance work, school, friends and extra-curricular activities. The District Clinical Counseling Services (DCCS) provides psychosocial support to ACC currently enrolled  students who are experiencing mental health challenges that may impede their ability to succeed.* Clinical counselors will assist students through personal challenges, transitions and the stressful times that may create concerns or difficulties throughout a student’s college experience.

Scope of Service
Clinical services are provided by licensed and license-eligible mental health professionals. Information students share with clinical counseling professionals are sensitive and personal in nature and therefore confidential. Information will not be shared or disclosed to anyone without written permission. However, exceptions to confidentiality exist that a student must become aware of and will be explained prior to initiating a counseling relationship with a clinical counselor. Services offered include but are not limited to:

• Individual Clinical Counseling
• Group Clinical Counseling
• Student in Distress Intervention
• Prevention Programming and Outreach
• Compliance Programming and Outreach
• Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Support (CARES) Program Clinical Support & Case Management
• Campus and Community Resources
• Risk / Threat Assessments (self-harm / harm to others)
• Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Screening
• Staff/Faculty/Student Training and Consultation
• Crisis Stabilization

*Students who require services beyond the scope offered by the district clinical team will be referred to community resources.

Clinical services are offered primarily by appointment. Referrals or requests for services may be submitted via online at www.austincc.edu/students/counseling . This referral method is not for emergencies or crimes in progress. For immediate emergencies, please dial 911. To file a non-emergency police report, contact the ACC District Police at 512-223-1231.

Academic Coaching

The college offers academic coaching to students. Academic Coaches hold one-on-one meetings with students to work on time management, self-advocacy, motivation, goal clarification, reading comprehension, study skills and developing personal plans for academic success. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/academic-coaching for more information.

Financial Aid

You must reapply for Financial Aid every year, and you must maintain your GPA in order to remain in good standing to receive Financial Aid. Financial Aid is an excellent opportunity to assist you with tuition, fees, and college expenses, so remember to visit or contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your eligibility for aid and receive assistance with applying for and accepting your aid package. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/financial-aid for more information.

Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) offices are located at each ACC campus. If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for classroom and/or testing accommodations. If you think you may qualify for services, please  contact SAS at the campus that is most convenient to you. SAS staff will meet with you to determine reasonable, appropriate, and effective accommodations based on your disability and on the courses in which you are enrolled. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology for more information.

Jobs for Students

ACC offers students the opportunity to work at ACC. In many cases, students may be receiving Financial Aid and receive “work study” options. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/financial-aid/explore-your-financial-aid/work-study for more information. Students who are not receiving aid may also be eligible for paid employment. Jobs are often linked to your Area of Study so you may receive career training and continue to learn while earning your paycheck. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/career-services/jobs-and-internships for more information.

The Riverbat Ambassador program is one unique opportunity that allows students to work within their Area of Study, support other students, and develop leadership potential. Visit sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/ambassador/ for more information.

Library Services

Austin Community College provides library services through locations at each campus, select ACC teaching locations and Early College High Schools, and a robust website. Visit library.austincc.edu for more information.

Library services and resources include:

• Faculty librarians who provide assistance in person or by phone, chat, and email
• Print and electronic reference materials
• Print and ebooks, periodicals, and streaming media
• Desktop computers
• Laptops, iPads, and calculators
• Copiers and scanners
• Makerspace activities and resources
• 24/7 reference assistance

Collections: Library materials vary by campus; however, all items are listed in the online library catalog and may be picked up at any campus library.

The size of a library’s general collection also varies, with the larger campuses housing the college’s larger general collections. Materials required for a specific program of study are housed at program’s campus location. For example, Health Sciences materials are housed at the Eastview and Round Rock campuses, which are home to most Health Sciences programs.

Computers in Libraries: You must have an ACCeID to use library computers and your valid, current ACC ID card to borrow a laptop computer or iPad. You may print files from library research computer workstations within limits; however, it’s advisable to bring USB flash drives to download and store files. You also may use your ACCmail or Google Drive accounts to email or upload files for future use. For security reasons, remember to log out before you leave any college computer.

For specific information on library policies, visit the Library Services website or consult with any campus librarian.

ACCelerators

At the ACCelerator, you can take innovative classes, access state-of-the-art technology, get academic coaching, and much more.

The Highland Campus ACCelerator is the world’s largest high-tech learning emporium, providing access to 600+ computer stations for individualized learning and small group sessions. In addition to technology-based instruction, the ACCelerator features an extensive support network of faculty members, academic coaches, tutors, supplemental instructors, librarians, and other staff members — all ready to help students succeed. The lab is spread over 32,000 square feet, with clusters of desktop computer stations surrounded by classrooms and study rooms.

The San Gabriel Campus and Round Rock Campus ACCelerators offer similar services to students on a smaller scale.

Visit www.austincc.edu/students/accelerator for more information and locations as well as to schedule a tour.

Computer Access

Doing research? Writing a paper? Completing an assignment? If you need a computer, ACC provides state-of-the-art systems and software at various locations on campus.

• Computer Centers

The Computer Center, located in or near each campus library, has computer stations with software for general student use. This includes writing papers, conducting online coursework, accessing the Internet, checking Online Services, and using ACCmail. ACC Student ID card is required.

• Learning Labs/Tutoring

Learning Labs across the college provide academic support across disciplines. In addition to free tutoring, Learning Labs offer interactive computer applications, student study groups and workshops, and an array of helpful materials and resources.

The Learning Lab at each campus provides computer stations and staff assistance to help you reinforce instruction, complete assignments and activate and access Online Services.

The college offers tutoring sessions that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ACC tutors are dedicated professionals whose goal is to help students prepare for course requirements and gain confidence in their skills. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/tutoring for more information.

• Campus wireless network

The campus wireless network is accessible with your laptop or smartphone using your ACCeID and password.

• Restricted computers

Additional computer labs provide access to specialized software for students enrolled in specific classes. An instructor-assigned login may be required.

• • • Computer Science and Information Technology labs
    • MyMathLab Center
    • Visual Communication computer labs
    • Professional Nursing computer labs

Student Life

ACC Student Life promotes an environment committed to your personal, emotional, cultural, social, and ethical development. Through Student Life, you may be involved in student clubs, intramural sports, volunteer opportunities, and campus governance. The ACC campus experience can be rich and engaging.

Take advantage of meeting other students and learning and connecting with other interesting people. Visit sites.austincc.edu/sl for more information.

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support model that uses peer-assisted study sessions. The SI program targets traditionally difficult academic courses and provides regularly scheduled, out-of-class review sessions.

SI study sessions, led by student leaders who previously passed the course, are informal seminars in which classmates compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/supplemental-instruction for more information.

Support Centers

ACC’s Support Center provides specialized assistance and referrals to very low income students, students currently or formerly in foster care and students who receive services from community partners. Eligibility is based on your income. You may qualify for services if you qualify for Financial Aid.

Applications are accepted year-round and are considered on a first-come/first-served basis. Visit www.austincc.edu/students/support-center for more information.