Weekly (sort of) Newsletter

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Summer Scholars Program at the Chautauqua Institution: Pre-apply Now

OK, y'all, this is one of the best deals we offer: a week-long, all-expenses-paid educational and enrichment trip to the Chautauqua Institution. It's called the Summer Scholars Program, and over the last three years, we have sent seven ACC Honors Program students (which is actually a large number when you consider that the opportunity is only available to 24 students nationwide every July). 

Intrigued? OK, check your eligibility. Do you meet the following requirements?

• Have taken at least one Honors course or are registered for a class in Spring '25 (Organizers will verify with us)

• A first-year Community College student in an Honors program who intends to transfer to a 4-yr institution to complete a Bachelor's degree

• Pell Grant-eligible (per FAFSA)

• a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who is 18-25 years of age

• Intellectually curious & interested in meeting new people & forming new connections

• Participating (or interested) in extracurricular activities, research, community service, etc.

• Able to walk 2+ miles per day

If you're eligible, pre-apply today. Put my name down as the person who referred you: Dr. Anne-Marie Thomas

From the organizers: pre-applications are being accepted now and processed on a rolling basis through mid-January. If students demonstrate real interest and seem to be a good fit on their pre-application, they will be invited to complete a full application. Those who pre-apply early receive greater consideration.

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Leadership and Service Opportunities with the Center for Govt. & Civic Service

**We could use more bodies for the civic leadership simulation on Friday: register today! 

The Honors Program is teaming up with ACC's (new!) Center for Government and Civic Service at the Rio Grande Campus. They'll be running their first civic leadership simulation on November 22nd, during which students will have the opportunity to respond to a city-wide health crisis by inhabiting a wide variety of roles (mayor, health officials, conspiracy theorists, etc). Participation in three of these simulations will satisfy the Honors Scholar leadership requirement. Another leadership opportunity--the Open Government Partnership with the city of Austin--is described below, as well as two separate service activities. Check it out and get involved!   

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Great Questions Community Seminar: 11/21

Join members of our community in asking the Great Questions of humankind through discussions of transformative texts. Community Seminars include opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community members to discuss Great Questions, guided by transformative texts that productively raise them. Community Seminars are interactive and fun. They begin with free tacos and hopefully end with greater wisdom. 

You can find the reading assignment and discussion questions here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w--dANH9pKeCARg8IOgvQNc5kJvP0QiWsqLn83rc9-A/edit?usp=sharing

RSVP HERE (https://forms.gle/ZctnK96vUbBdeaVw7)

We will focus on selections from Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, which he wrote when was 25 years old. This work is regarded by many as one of the best books ever written about both democracy and the United States of America. The reflections of this young Frenchman in 1830 remain vital and important for us to read today, as we try to see our turbulent times more clearly. What are the greatest dangers that face American democracy, and how can they be confronted? Can we be equally committed to both liberty and equality? What kind of despotism are democracies most likely to face, and what can we do about it? Reading and discussing these selections of Tocqueville together will help us think about these questions and others more clearly. 

It's sure to be an excellent conversation, and I hope you can be a part of it! 

Thursday, November 21 from 7 - 9:30pm (tacos at 7pm, conversation starts at 7:30pm)

While all are welcome to attend, this RSVP form is required. We need to get an accurate headcount for food, as well as to put you in small discussion groups. You'll also need to complete the short reading assignment from the text before coming, which is available at the above link.  

We will start with tacos at 7pm. At about 7:30pm we'll all gather in a large hall at HLC to go over ground rules before splitting off into small groups for discussion. The event will end with a debrief back in the presentation hall. This is an engaging event where you'll spend most of the time talking in small groups about Great Questions. 

The exact location at HLC will be emailed to those who RSVP HERE https://forms.gle/xsip71orwdz52q4u6). We'll be in touch with those who RSVP! 

You can find the reading assignment and discussion questions here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w--dANH9pKeCARg8IOgvQNc5kJvP0QiWsqLn83rc9-A/edit?usp=sharing

Contact Ted Hadzi-Antich Jr. thadzian@austincc.edu for more info! 

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Fall Transfer Tour to UT

Transfer Services is providing a tour and information session at the University of Texas, and they will transport you there!

IMPORTANT: If you are an UT YCS Fellow, the College of Education is hosting a luncheon/reception for all new YCS Fellows on December 6th from 12-2 at the Highland Campus Welcome Center, and they will also bring UT advisors. They would like all new fellows to attend, so please don't register for this tour if you are a new fellow. 

Date: Friday, December 6

Time: Arrive at Highland Campus by 9:30am. Estimated return to the Highland Campus is 3:00pm.

Departure Location: Bus will depart and return from the ACC Highland Campus

Tour will include:

• Transfer Admissions Info Session

• Tours of the Communications and Cockrell Engineering buildings 

• Lunch at a UT Dining Hall. 

There is limited seating for this tour. Only complete this registration if you are sure you can attend.

Register Here

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Panel Discussion on Leadership in Public Service and Policy Research: 11/20

As a member of The Mentor and Leadership Program, Honors student Tzur Shalit is hosting a panel on the "Journey to Leadership in Public Service and Policy Research" on Wednesday, November 20th from 3:00-5:00 pm at the Highland Campus Presentation Hall (Bldg. 2000, Room 1550). RSVP here. 

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UT Day at ACC: 11/21

The University of Texas at Austin is coming to ACC’s Highland Campus! Join UT Day at ACC to meet UT admissions and academic department representatives, learn about the transfer process, and attend short presentations from selected UT Austin departments. Stop by to chat with reps in person or join online!

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, November 21

• Time: 12:00 – 4:00 pm

• Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1409 (in-person) and via Zoom (online) 

How to Join:

• In-Person: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 2.1409 (Register here) 

• Online: Register here for Zoom access

Don’t miss this chance to connect directly with UT Austin representatives and get answers to your transfer questions. Students are welcome to drop by any time during the event – stay for as long as you like!

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Spring '25 Honors Registration: Yes, Waitlists Work 

'Tis the season where students start rearranging their spring plans, which means we've been reaching out to several of you on the Spring '25 waitlists. We also still have classes that are open with no waitlists: ENGL 1302 (Magical Realism, Hyflex/CYP), ENGL 1302 (Queer Writings, RGC), SPCH 1311 (Developing Leadership Communication Competencies, RRC), MATH 1342 (Exploring Social Justice Issues through Data, HLC), SPCH 1315 (Environment, Rights, Humanitarianism & the Rhetoric of Change, DLS)  

Are you hoping to fulfill the Honors Scholar requirements and need a service opportunity? Professor Louisa Spaventa's "Queer Writings" ENGL 1302 (Composition II) course will be a designated service-learning class in the spring. Students will collaborate with Talk About It Texas.

You can see all of the Spring '25 Honors courses on the college's course schedule page. Please fill out the registration request form to ensure your spot in the courses offered. Remember, only Honors Program staff can register you due to the restricted nature of these courses. If you need some guidance about what courses to take, our Honors advisor Jana McCarthy can help you out: jana.mccarthy@austincc.edu.   

For general questions about registration, please contact honors@austincc.edu. Our support staff members Professor Melissa Foote and Professor Marcel Pons Ventura are eager to help.

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Transportation Survey: We Need Your Input

CapMetro is asking for feedback on their current transit lines as they prepare to plan for upcoming route changes based on interest, usage, and need. They would like ACC students’ voices to be heard in this process.  Remember that your input directly affects how well CapMetro can meet your travel needs. Go here to get started!

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Ivy League Info Sessions: U Penn & Columbia U General School

Interested in attending an Ivy League school without having to relocate? The University of Pennsylvania is offering a fully online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree. Register for a virtual transfer session here. Dates for the sessions are 11/12, noon, EST or 12/3 6:00 pm EST

 Students interested in exploring further can:

Review the Penn LPS online website

Request a preliminary transfer credit evaluation

Attend a live detailed virtual info session where they can ask questions or just listen

Watch a recorded general virtual session

Request more information

Schedule an appointment to talk with our admissions team (lpsonline@sas.upenn.edu)

Columbia University General School 

A number of ACC Honors students have transferred to the General School, including Marc Stoyer and Matthew Wilds. If you're interested in the possibilities, plan to attend one of their upcoming online information sessions:

GS Undergraduate Online Information Session

Wednesday, December 11, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Friday Forum: Academic Interest - Humanities and the Arts

Friday, December 13, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

As always, if you apply and are accepted, let me know! We will co-host a transfer panel event with Transfer Services in February featuring Honors students who have transferred to highly competitive universities: UT's Journalism Program, Columbia University, and Brown University. 

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Upcoming Programs with Texas Law Pipeline Program

Interested in Law School? Check out UT Law School's upcoming programs:

Law School Planning Day

November 22

11:00 AM

Texas Law

All details and registration for each event can be found at: https://law.utexas.edu/pipeline-program/pre-law-events/

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NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Deadline: 11/25

We've had many Honors students join NCAS, and we'd like to see you take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity, too. (You don't even have to be a STEM major to participate, as NASA needs folks from a variety of disciplines.) Check out the details here and attend one of the info sessions listed below. If you complete any of the missions, let me know. 

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NASA L'SPACE Program Applications Open for Spring 2025

Folks, these opportunities come to us courtesy of Honors Program alum Theo Courtois and Program Coordinator at the NASA L'SPACE Program at ASU. Let us know if you apply and are accepted!

I wanted to reach out to let you know that the applications for the NASA L'SPACE Program academies have opened for the Spring 2025 semester! Applications for the programs are reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested students should apply as soon as possible. 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.

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.

I hope that Honors Program students at Austin Community College will continue to take advantage of these free NASA workforce development programs. My participation in these programs has been instrumental in my understanding of the complex challenges of the space industry. 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 questions related to these academies, please let them know that they are welcome to reach out to me directly via email: tcourtoi@asu.edu.

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The Mellon Humanities Collaboratory: Fully Funded Summer Research Opportunity

Interested in escaping Texas during the summer and doing research in the Humanities? See details below! In 2023, we sent two ACC Honors students to Baltimore: Adelaide Rouech-Beard (Art History & Sociology) and Zek McCormick (Philosophy & Computer Science). We'd love to send more students this year. If you apply and are accepted, definitely let me know! Also, I have a couple of sample proposals, so touch base with me if you're interested: athomas2@austincc.edu. 

I’m writing to invite Austin Community College students to apply to a fully funded summer research program hosted by Johns Hopkins University. The Mellon Humanities Collaboratory provides emerging humanities scholars currently enrolled in community college with a generous summer stipend of $6,000 for ten weeks of full-time mentored research. On top of the stipend, travel to and from Baltimore and housing at our beautiful campus are included in the award at no cost to the student. The program will be held on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland, from May 27 through August 2, 2025.

With support and mentorship from Johns Hopkins faculty and research staff, Humanities Collaboratory participants design their own research projects in any area of the humanities. Using a student-centered, peer-modeling approach, the Collaboratory invites students to work together constructively while pursuing their individual projects. This highly successful model develops undergraduates as subject matter experts and prepares them for further study in the humanities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Our website has more information, including videos produced by previous years’ participants detailing the impact of the program.

Applications for the 2024 program are open now through December 2, 2024. Due to restrictions on the Mellon funding, the program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. The only other eligibility requirements are current enrollment in a community college and an interest in humanities research. The online application can be found here.

We are hosting a series of virtual info sessions over the coming weeks. Please share the following links with your students and encourage them to register for a session:

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