Weekly (sort of) Newsletter

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Summer and Fall Registration/Advising

**For Summer, we have added an identical section of SPCH 1311, HIST 1302 (DLS, MW 1:30-3:40 pm, 10 weeks), and PHIL 2306.   

Please use the registration request form to select your courses.

If you'd like some help planning your schedule, our dedicated Honors advisor Jana McCarthy (jana.mccarthy@austincc.edu) would love to talk with you. This is your opportunity to speak with an ACC Master Advising Specialist about your Honors course planning, transfer goals, and more. Feel free to set up an appointment here. (If you can't get an appointment, she recommends emailing her.) 

Registration for Fall 2025 courses is right around the corner. Officially, it begins on May 12th, but we'll open up the request form on May 5th. Here are the courses available for the Fall. 

Full course list 

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LBJ Public Service Weekend Application, July 2025 (Deadline 4/21)

UT's LBJ School is a top-ranked graduate school for Public Affairs, and beginning in Fall '25, they will be offering a Bachelor of Public Affairs degree. To position ACC Honors students so that they can learn more about the bachelor and graduate degrees, we are working with the school to design opportunities for those who are considering careers in public service. (Public service employers might include schools, colleges, federal government agencies, the military, court systems, emergency management, fire services, hospitals, city and state government, and non-profit organizations. ) 

The LBJ School is generously offering six ACC Honors students the opportunity to become Public Service Leadership Weekend Scholars this July, for their annual Public Service Leadership Weekend conference. Last year, five ACC Honors students attended for the very first time. Only 46 undergraduate and graduate students from across the south and southwest will be selected this year. I don't think I need to emphasize what an amazing opportunity this is, but I'll do it anyway: it's huge! The primary goal of the conference is to "introduce students to topics in the field of public policy through academic research and policy training," but that only scratches the surface of what is being offered. If you're interested in how to achieve real and positive societal change, this event serves as your introduction.  

The details: The conference will take place from Thursday, July 17th-Sunday, July 20th at the LBJ School. (Thursday evening is a meet-and-greet, I believe, whereas the 18th-20th are the program dates.) The LBJ School will provide accommodations for ACC students in UT dorms and all meals will be provided.  

LBJ PSLW Description:

The Public Service Leadership Weekend (PSLW) is a dynamic, three-day conference designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in public policy and public affairs. Hosted by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, this immersive program empowers future public service leaders by equipping them with the tools, networks, and skills necessary to drive meaningful change in their communities.

This program will allow 46 emerging college leaders from across Texas, the South, and the Southwest to convene to explore innovative solutions to today’s most pressing public policy challenges. Through interactive workshops, expert-led discussions, and hands-on policy training, participants will develop the knowledge, confidence, and network to translate ideas into action. 

Eligibility: applicants must be current ACC students who are interested in a career in public service and have taken at least one Honors course (or are registered for Summer 2025 Honors courses). 

Preferred but not required: First generation college students (meaning parents did not complete a bachelor's degree) or Pell Grant-eligible students

Participation in this event fulfills the leadership requirement for the Honors Scholar tier, and of course it's a nice addition to résumés and transfer applications.   

Application: Let me be very blunt here–do not use AI. The reviewers expressed dismay last year at the number of AI-generated applications they received. UT wants your authentic voice/experience–warts and all–and will disregard clearly AI-generated answers. Apply here by April 21st. The deadline is generous to accommodate those of you who are registering for your first Honors class in the summer, since we won’t start registering everyone for summer courses until 4/4.

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The Psychology Club Presents: Demystifying Research, 4/17

From Psychology Club President Malka Negret:

The Psychology Club Presents: Demystifying Research – Understanding Academic Papers
Thursday, April 17th at 4:00 PM
Highland Campus – Building 1000, Room 2101

Join us for a hands-on session designed to help students from all majors learn how to read and engage with academic research articles confidently. Whether you're new to research or just want to sharpen your skills, this event is for you!

We’ll be joined by Dr. So Yeon Lee, a published researcher and Postdoctoral Scholar at Texas State University (Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from McGill University), whose work focuses on self-efficacy, teacher roles, and educational psychology.

Dr. Lee will share practical tips and strategies for tackling technical language, understanding data, and getting more out of academic papers, which apply to all majors! This is a really good opportunity for learning how to approach research articles, which, no matter your major or the branch of psychology you are interested in, will give your insights an edge.

• You can submit any questions or topics you'd like Dr. Lee to cover here and RSVP here. 

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Student Research Symposium, 4/18

We have a bumper crop of Honors students presenting at both the poster and essay presentations of the Student Research Symposium on Friday, April 18th. Come support your Honors classmates! The poster session runs from 1:00-2:00, and the essay sessions run from 2:00-3:30. Essay presentations are as follows:

• Session 1: Our Characters Ourselves: Social Forces and Gender Identity in Cultural Archetypes

Matthew Flores, “Beyond the Box: Exploring the Complex Effects/Affects of Barbie on Society”

Jennifer St. George, “How the Patriarchy Failed Victor Frankenstein”

Respondent: Dr. Brinda Roy, Professor of Composition and Literary Studies

• Session 2: Othering and Empathy: Meeting the Apocalyptic Moment

Logan Mack, “Autism and Gender”

Chris Murphy, “Empathy: The Flame of Human Connection”

Respondent: Dr. Anne-Marie Thomas, Associate Dean of Honors

• Session 3: American Tapestry: Movement, Migration, and the Law

Paulina Mendoza, “Fractured Roots”

Tzur Shalit, “Criminal Justice Reform: Comparing Post-Revolutionary Movements to the Modern Movement to Abolish the Death Penalty.”

Respondent: Carrie Laughlin, Professor of Government

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PTK and Anthropology Club Presentation, 4/18

The Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the ACC Honors Student Organization, and the ACC Anthropology Club are proud to welcome UT Professor Dr. Thomas G. Garrison to our Highland campus at 3:00 pm (HLC Building 2000, Rm 1410) on Friday, April 18th.

Thomas G. Garrison is a Maya archaeologist who specializes in applying digital technologies to the study of the past. He has edited three books and published dozens of articles and chapters. Since 2016 he has served on the archaeology advisory committee of the Pacunam Lidar Initiative—the largest archaeologically focused lidar project in the world. A National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Garrison’s research is featured in the series Lost Treasures of the Maya on the National Geographic Channel and Disney+. He is currently Assistant Professor of Geography & the Environment at the University of Texas at Austin.

The first western rendering of a structure of the Classic Maya site of Tikal, Guatemala was Eusebio Lara's quasi-classical drawing of Temple V, created during Colonel Modesto Mendez's expedition in 1848 that first reported the ruined city. This was the precursor to all later visual documentation of the site and its extent. From early "rough plans" and "sketch maps" to instrument mapping and orthorectified satellite imagery, Tikal is one of the most rendered Maya sites from both two-dimensional and three-dimensional perspectives. At a broader scale, there have also been a dizzying number of attempts to situate Tikal geographically using everything from celestial observation to high-resolution GPS, each new technology relocating the ruins in relation to modern borders. This talk delves into the visual history of Tikal's local and regional geography by examining the tales of the artists, explorers and surveyors, oilmen, and archaeologists that created it. Canopy penetrating geospatial data from the Pacunam Lidar Initiative provide new views of ancient Tikal and its modern park, generating updated estimates of the city's composition and boundaries.

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Green Career Fest: 4/19

Our friends from the Youth Forest Council would like to invite us to the second Green Career Fest. Please see details below by Honors Alum Lydian DiDonato:

I’d like to extend an invitation to you and your students to participate in the 2nd Annual Green Career Fest, hosted by the Emerging Green Leaders program. This event is designed to inspire and empower young adults (ages 16-24) to explore exciting career opportunities in the green industry and become environmental leaders.

Event Details:

• What: The Green Career Fest will feature hands-on workshops, environmental speaker sessions, a job fair with green industry employers, raffles, and more!

• When: Saturday, April 19th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• Where: Permitting and Development, City of Austin, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752

This free event offers an excellent opportunity for students to learn about sustainable careers, network with industry professionals, and gain valuable career development experience. We’d love for your students to be part of this exciting event.

Job vendors at the event include organizations like the City of Austin Parks and Recreation, Youth Forest Council Internship, Austin Youth Riverwatch, American Youthworks, Davey Tree Company, YMCA Camp Moody, and many more.

Register here!

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Your Honors PSA: Scam Honors Orgs

Perhaps "scam" is a harsh word, but If you have received invitations either from the Honor Society or National Society of Collegiate Scholars, please note that these are not supported at ACC and there are no chapters here at the college. We are not affiliated with these organizations for good reasons, so please don't give them your money. If you want to join a club/organization that supports ACC students specifically, please join Phi Theta Kappa, which collects dues (although these dues can occasionally be waived) or the Honors Student Organization (HSO), which does not. The National Society of Leadership and Success is also a legitimate organization with an ACC chapter. 

Also, as you likely know, the ACC Honors Program will never ask you for dues. We are an academic program rather than a society or an organization. 

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National Collegiate Honors Council Transfer Fair, 4/25

ACC is an institutional member of the National Collegiate Honors Council, which is holding its first virtual transfer fair to help connect students with four-year institutions across the US. Students can participate in live Q&A sessions with university honors representatives and a Virtual Expo showcasing transfer pathways, scholarships, and academic opportunities.

Register here by April 23rd. 

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UFCU Workshop on Investing (designed just for you!), 4/28

Remember when I sent out a survey asking about the kinds of financial advice/planning workshops you'd like to see from UFCU? It turns out that a lot of you are actually interested in investing. So UFCU is answering the charge! 

Join us for a special workshop on investments, led by Richey Rogers from UFCU’s Investment Services team. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your financial knowledge, this is a great opportunity to learn what’s possible, get your questions answered, and take the next step toward your financial goals. Refreshments provided.

Register here for both in-person and online options.

Monday, April 28th, 4:30 pm-5:30 pm, Highland Campus Welcome Center, Building 1000 (HLC1 2350) 

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SGA Elections, 4/28-5/2

Interested in ACC's Student Government Association? It's a busy season for the student organization: elections! See details about elections and an upcoming debate on April 30th.  

Election Dates: April 28th - May 2nd 

How to Vote: Students can cast their votes through the official SGA voting portal: https://voting.apps.austincc.edu/vote

Candidate Debates:  Join us on April 30 from 3:00–6:00 PM at the HLC Presentation Hall for a fun and engaging Presidential & Vice Presidential debate, plus quick introductions from our Senatorial candidates.

• Learn about SGA & what it does

• Ask your burning questions

• Enjoy free snacks & good conversations

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official voice of ACC students, advocating for your needs, planning events, and working to improve campus life. This debate is your chance to hear directly from the candidates who want to represent you—what they stand for, their goals, and how they plan to make a difference.

This is your student government—come meet the people who want to lead it! Bring your friends, grab some snacks, and make your voice heard! 

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L'SPACE Applications Open: Summer '25

ACC Honors alum Theodore Courtois is now Program Coordinator for the NASA L'SPACE Program at Arizona State University, and he wanted to make sure that you all knew about the next opportunity for this wonderful program. See his message below:

Applications for the NASA L'SPACE Program Summer 2025 academy opportunities have now opened! The program received a record number of applications for the Spring semester and after opening applications yesterday, we have already received over 200 applications for the Summer programs. This means it is important that any students interested in participating for the Summer 2025 semester submit their application as early as possible for consideration - don't wait until the deadline! Both of these 15-week academies are fantastic opportunities for Honors Program students interested in a future in the space industry. The academies are open to students from all majors as they are placed in interdisciplinary teams for the duration of the program. Students should expect to spend 6-10 hours per week participating in program activities and completing related work.

Mission Concept Academy (MCA):

Participants in the Mission Concept Academy will learn space mission development skills by developing a preliminary mission concept that follows the NASA mission life cycle. Students will have the opportunity to learn from NASA and industry professionals while developing a foundation in mission design, technical writing, and NASA review procedures. By the end of the academy, students will have developed a complete Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for their mission concept that can be used to showcase technical skills in internship and job interviews.

NASA Proposal Writing & Evaluation Academy (NPWEE):

Participants in the NASA Proposal Writing & Evaluation Academy will work in a team to develop innovative solutions to NASA pain points. Students will learn how to formulate a new technology proposal while competing for $10,000 in funding to develop their team's proposed idea. Previous winning NPWEE teams have gone on to secure additional NASA funding of up to $200,000 and several winning proposals are being considered for inclusion on upcoming space missions. Let this inspire, not intimidate - multiple ACC students have worked with winning NPWEE teams!

I hope that Honors Program students at Austin Community College will continue to take advantage of these free NASA workforce development programs - Riverbats belong in aerospace! My participation in these programs has been instrumental in my understanding of the complex challenges of the space industry and the knowledge and skills that I gained from these academies and my continued involvement with the NASA L'SPACE Program have been an incredible catalyst to my space industry career. If students have any questions related to these academies, they are always welcome to reach out to me directly via email at tcourtoi@asu.edu.

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Call for Submissions: A Collaborative Culture

A Collaborative Culture magazine seeks submissions from students, faculty, staff, and community members on the theme of Community: Past, Present, & Future.

What does the future look like to you? What have you learned from your past that you can implement in your present to build toward the future you want?

Find details and the submission form at https://sites.austincc.edu/acollaborativeculture/submission-form/

Link to Call for Submissions Flyer

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