
50 Years of Building Brighter Futures
ACC opened its doors on September 17, 1973, with an extraordinary vision to provide everyone access to an affordable, quality education.
Today, we honor our past, celebrate our future, and highlight our work of building brighter futures since 1973. We invite you to join the celebration by sharing your journey. Let us know how ACC helped shape your life.

Quality
College education since 1973
Over the last 50 years, ACC has shaped futures through learning. In our endless pursuit to be among the best colleges in the nation, we embraced a model of innovation and collaboration. We invite you to scroll through the videos here to meet the people and explore the programs and facilities that helped ACC transform the landscape of higher education.
Let’s Celebrate!
Austin Community College District will honor its 50th anniversary with a series of exciting events and celebrations in 2023. This is a community affair, and we want to hear your ideas! Our anniversary provides a unique opportunity to honor ACC’s past and celebrate our mission to provide access to the American Dream and upward mobility to all who seek it. If you have an event or celebration in mind, let us know!
History
Our Story
On Saturday, December 9, 1972, Austin voters said “Yes” to a new community college. Whether Austin needed or could afford a community college had been debated for years. Within nine short months, ACC hired faculty and staff, leased the former Anderson High School building and renamed it Ridgeview, and opened its doors on September 17, 1973 to 1,726 students. What started as an extraordinary vision is today the primary gateway to higher education and career training serving about 70,000 students each year.
Founders
Visionary Leaders
In celebration of the college’s founding in December 1972, ACC is reconnecting with our founders — Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students who were here in the beginning. We’d like to thank you and add you to a special list of alumni.
Your Stories
ACC Story Project
There’s one-degree of separation from Austin Community College. If you didn’t go to ACC, you know someone who did. The ACC Story Project is an effort to collect unscripted stories from the hearts of those who have been impacted by the ACC mission— our students, faculty and staff, founders, partners, and alumni. Become a part of history. By sharing your ACC story.
Join Us
#ACCStoryProject
Upload your story to your socials! Join the conversation on social media — @ACC
Events
From scavenger hunts and volunteer opportunities to Founders Day and 50 year reunion, updates and additional information will be added here. All ACC departments and organizations are encouraged to plan your own events or suggest collegewide celebrations.
Whats Happening
January 2023 ›
First Day “Welcome Riverbats”
February 2023 ›
ACC Story Project Launch
March 2023 ›
Amplify Austin – Student Emergency Fund Fundraiser
UFCU Pavilion Groundbreaking @ ACC Highland
April 2023 ›
Latin American Cultural Center Grand Opening
Boots & Bats Gala
May 2023 ›
Graduation Ceremony (Spring)
July 2023 ›
Student Success Summit
August 2023 ›
First Day “Welcome Riverbats”
September 2023 ›
ACC Day on September 17, 2023
General Assembly
50th Reunion/Homecoming
November 2023 ›
Riverbat Week
December 2023 ›
50th Anniversary Holiday Party
Graduation Ceremony (Fall)
Stay Up to Date
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