Weekly (sort of) Newsletter

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Spring '26 Registration

While classes are filling up, we still have seats available in a few disciplines. For some full classes, we're already making our way through our internal waitlists--we generally see a lot of movement between now and January, as students make changes to their schedules. If you'd like to select a class, make sure to use the registration request form.   

As of right now, the following Spring Honors course still have open spots:

S26 Composition II: Queer Writings:  Stories by and about LGBTQIA+ People (ENGL 1302 702), MW 1:30 - 2:50 (RGC)

S26 American Literature II: Post-Civil War African-American Writers: 1865 and Beyond (ENGL 2328 701), MW 1:30 - 2:50 (RRC)

S26 Spanish II: Ritmos del Caribe: The Music, Slang, and Culture of the Caribbean (SPAN 1412 701), MW 9:00 - 10:50 (HLC)

The following courses currently have small waitlists:

S26 Intro to Speech: Leveraging Your Strengths to Lead (SPCH 1311 701), TTH 1:30 - 2:50 (RRC)

S26 Ethics: Health, Sickness, and the Mysteries of Living a Good Life (PHIL 2306 700), MW 10:30 - 11:50 (EVC)

S26 Calculus II: Applications in Engineering & Physical Sciences (MATH 2414 700), MW 3:00 - 4:45 (RVS)

S26 Calculus III: Data Sciences Applications (MATH 2415 701), TTH  1:00 - 2:45 (HLC)

S26 World Literature I: Sense, Sex, & Transcendence (ENGL 2332 700), TTH 1:30 - 2:50 (RGC)

S26 Organic Chemistry II Lab (CHEM 2125 700), TH 10:30 - 1:20 (RRC)

S26 Painting II (ARTS 2317 700), TTH 1:30 - 4:10 (HLC)

Questions? Contact honors@austincc.edu

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NASA L'SPACE Spring '26 Application Open, Deadline 11/30

We have a free opportunity for you that is open to all majors. The description below is courtesy of ACC Honors Program alum and current L'SPACE Program Coordinator Theodore Courtois (please note that he provides his contact info):

Applications for the L'SPACE Program Spring 2026 academy opportunities are closing on November 30th! 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-funded 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 L'SPACE Program have been an incredible catalyst to my space industry career. If students have any questions related to these academies, or want to talk about opportunities that can help them work towards a future career in space, they are always welcome to reach out to me directly via email at tcourtoi@asu.edu.

Regards,

Theodore Courtois

Program Coordinator - L’SPACE Program

School of Earth and Space Exploration

Arizona State University

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Summer Scholars at Chautauqua Spotlight

In preparation for the Summer Scholars Program application opening in early December (we'll keep you posted), we're spotlighting one of last year's participants, Parker Garcia. This is one of the best deals we offer students: a week-long, all-expenses-paid educational and enrichment trip to the Chautauqua Institution; all students who have taken at least one Honors course are eligible to apply. Over the last two years, we've sent six students to Chautauqua, which is a large number from one community college, considering they only accept 24 students from across the nation every year. This is Parker's story:

Hi everyone! My name is Parker Garcia. I’m a government and paralegal studies major, and I hope to become a civil rights attorney. This past summer I was part of the Summer Scholars Program at the Chautauqua Institution. I hope my experience encourages you to apply like, seriously, take the leap. I had never been out of state for that long or in such a new environment, but it became one of the best weeks of my life.

What I loved most is that the program starts supporting you before you even arrive. Transfer coaches connected me with people in my fields of interest, which even led to an all-expenses-paid trip to visit Grinnell College right after my week at CHQ. Your cohort quickly becomes a real community, which helped when the imposter syndrome kicked in.

Each morning began with breakfast, mentors, and reflection questions before diving into a full schedule of events. I went to cultural dialogues, policy lectures from AEI and the Brookings Institution, dance performances, and the play Execution of Justice. The team even pays attention to your hobbies. Since I love cooking, they bought every ingredient I needed to make my birria tacos and trust me, finding chile guajillo in upstate New York is not easy. That night ended up being one of my favorite memories, with everyone laughing, eating, and hanging out in the kitchen.

Another huge part of the program is expanding your social capital. I was nervous about that at first, but it ended up being the most rewarding part. I made meaningful connections with very successful professionals doing the kind of work I want to do, and I even had a fancy lunch with the institution’s general counsel. The conversations and mentorship I gained continue to guide me every day.

What surprised me most is how much the program stays with you after you leave. The mentors, the community, and the clarity you gain follow you home. If you’re looking for something that can help you grow, reset, or figure out your next step, this program meets you where you are and keeps supporting you long after the week ends.

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Sign Up for ACC Transfer Tour to TXST

Please join ACC Transfer Services on a tour and information session of Texas State University.

Registration required. Space is limited so please register early!

Register Here

Date: Friday, December 5

Location, departure and arrival times for each campus are below:

•  Hays Campus: arrive by 8:30 a.m., estimated return is 1:30 p.m. 

• Highland Campus: arrive by 8:30 a.m., estimated return is 2:00 p.m. 

• Round Rock Campus:  arrive by 7:30 a.m., estimated return is 2:30 p.m. 

• South Austin Campus: arrive by 8:00 a.m., estimated return is 2:00 p.m. 

***Dual credit and Early College High School students are not eligible for this trip.***

Trip will include:

• Transfer Admissions Info Session

• Campus Tour

• Lunch at a Texas State dining hall

For questions please contact Marisa Rodriguez Serrano at mrodrig6@austincc.edu

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HSO Study Sesh Before the Stress, 12/4

Finals week is almost here, and we know the pressure is on. Take a break from the chaos and join us for Study Sesh Before the Stress--a chill, study-friendly space with light snacks and refreshments!

Bring your favorite study snack, your notes, and your friends to get a jump on studying together. Whether you’re catching up or getting ahead, you’ll be surrounded by students who are on the same boat and ready to finish the semester strong. Let’s get some work done and go into finals week feeling confident and refreshed.

12/4 5pm
Highland Campus — Building 1000, Room 2202

RSVP Here

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ACC Science Symposium, 12/4

Check out Honors Biology students at the ACC Science Symposium next week!

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HSO Service Opportunity with Treefolks, 12/6 & 12/13

Need more service hours for the Honors Scholar tier? Interested in increasing canopy cover in high-priority planting areas? Come out with the HSO to help TreeFolks plant some trees!

There will be two, four hours planting opportunities on December 6th & 13th. The spots will be open to the general public as well so sign up as soon as you can!

On Saturday, December 6th from 9 am to 1 pm, we will be planting trees at Walnut Creek Trail. The meet up location will be at Garden View Drive Trail Head.

RSVP here

On Saturday, December 13th from 9 am to 1 pm, we will be planting trees and meeting up at Bethany Cemetery. An educational presentation by Black Austin History Tours will also be included.

RSVP here

No experience or tools are needed, all tools and training will be provided at the beginning of the event! Any information needed will be sent to your email after signing up. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me, amai.flores@g.austincc.edu.

Can’t wait to see you all there!

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College and Career Mentorship Experience

College Contact is partnering with high schools across Texas to provide one-on-one college and career guidance — and they’re looking for ACC students to serve as mentors! This role is a great way for students to gain professional experience, earn income, and make a positive impact on their community. Mentorships are 100% virtual, with flexible hours, a guaranteed semesterly stipend, and bonus opportunities. Here’s a short video and the link to apply. 

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Fulbright UK Summer Institutes

Have you spent almost no time outisde of North America? Interested in studying at a university in the United Kingdom this summer? Then plan to apply to the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes; the institute covers airfare, accommodations, tuition and fees, and some meals. 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Be a US citizen and possess a US passport 

• Have had no or very little study/travel experience outside of North America 

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.6

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be able to participate in the program in its entirety 

• Have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after the Institute finishes 

• Not participate in any other study abroad programs during the Summer of 2026.

 Applications are available on this site. If you apply and are accepted, by all means let me know.  

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Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Symposium at Johns Hopkins

Last year, Honors student Eva Ritchie's paper, “Good Grief! Confucius and Cicero’s Expressions of Bereavement,” was accepted for inclusion in the 2025 Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium, which showcases student work across all fields of the humanities. Eva, a Government major who wrote the essay for Dr. Wendy Elle’s Honors World Literature I class, traveled to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to present it. The 2026 conference will take place on March 19-21, and the deadline for submission is December 1st. 

JHU instructions: Application instructions can be found on the Apply page of the symposium website. Notifications of acceptance to the conference will be made at the end of December. Early bird registration (by January 15) will be $150. Regular registration (by January 31) will be $185. 

A small number of fee waivers and travel scholarships will be available; instructions for applying for this funding will be sent along with conference acceptances in late December. More information about the conference schedule and logistics can be found on the

Attendance Information page of our website.  

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Ready to Become an Honors Scholar?

While taking an Honors class can certainly enhance your transfer applications, becoming an Honors Scholar--a student who takes at least three honors courses, maintains a 3.5 GPA, and engages in select leadership and service activities--can set you apart from your peers in ways that admissions committees find appealing. Becoming an Honors Scholar, for example, will grant you automatic admission to the UT Dallas Hobson Wildenthal Honors College. (We should have that transfer agreement finalized by the end of the fall semester.) 

Honors Scholars receive recognition on their transcripts, a digital badge, and honor stoles for graduation ceremonies. For an explanation of the kinds of leadership and service activities required, visit the Honors Scholar page. 

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