ACC Serves Up Volleyball Team
ACC Serves Up Volleyball Team With the 50th anniversary of its national title, Alvin Community College returned to the court with the recent establishment of the club volleyball team this Fall. The team hosted its first game against Texas Southern University on September 18 and won the match. “We’re thrilled to bring volleyball back to Alvin Community College,” ACC Athletic Director Dr. Estevan Vasquez said. “This club sport not only promotes teamwork and dedication but also taps into the rich pool of
ACC Foundation to Host 25th Gala on November 8
ACC Foundation to Host 25th Gala on November 8 The Alvin Community College Foundation invites everyone to “get their inner Parrothead on” for the 25th Annual Gala Fins Up!: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett on Friday, November 8. The event will be held at South Shore Harbor Resort in League City. “This year we are going to raise money for college students and staff while also celebrating the music of icon Jimmy Buffett,” said Wendy Del Bello, Foundation executive director. “This will be a fun event that
ACC to Host Sustainable Stories Film and Art Exhibit
ACC to Host Sustainable Stories Film and Art ExhibitAlvin Community College and the University of Houston Clear Lake will host the Sustainable Stories Film and Art Festival throughout October and November at each campus. The festival will include 30 short films and visual art pieces inspired by creating a more sustainable world. ACC will host the film and art exhibits from October 1-31. The show will move to UHCL and will be on display November 7 to December 7. “This exhibit is about bringing our
Alvin Community College to Host Hispanic Family Night
Alvin Community College to Host Hispanic Family NightAlvin Community College is hosting Hispanic Family Night on September 24 to provide more information for Spanish-speaking families who want to know more about attending college. The event will feature a panel of speakers that include students, faculty and staff who will talk about their experiences in higher education and how it has benefitted their life. There will also be presentations on a variety of topics such as navigating financial aid, taking
ACC 2024-25 Drama Season Preview
ACC 2024-25 Drama Season Preview The classic tales of staying young, finding the holiday spirit and finding oneself are part of the 2024-25 lineup for the Alvin Community College Drama program. The season will open with performances of Peter and the Star Catcher this Fall followed by Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol in December. The Spring musical will be Anastasia and the 40th Annual Summer Children’s Theatre Festival will include performances of The (Almost) Totally True Story of Hansel and Gretel and A
ACC Paralegal Instructor Pens Textbook
ACC Paralegal Instructor Pens Textbook When Paralegal instructor John J. Murray began teaching at Alvin Community College, he noticed that some of the textbook material in the introductory courses should be presented in more advanced courses. To solve the problem, Murray decided to write his own textbook which he felt would be more appropriate for students beginning a Paralegal program. “I also wanted to create a book that gave students real stories they could relate to and introduce them to the law in
ACC Receives Grants to Provide Textbooks to TDCJ Students
ACC Receives Grants to Provide Textbooks to TDCJ Students Alvin Community College recently received a grant to supply up-to-date textbooks to students taking courses through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice program. Government instructor Amy Acord was awarded the $4,400 grant from a partnership with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison and the W.W. Norton Publishing Prison Education Book Connection.These students are enrolled in ACC Associate’s Degree programs which are proven to reduce
ACC Faculty/Staff Recognized for Service
ACC Faculty/Staff Recognized for Service Alvin Community College recognized its employees for their service to the college during the annual service awards ceremony on August 19. Employees were honored for working 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and five years. 30 YearsACC employees who have worked at the college for 30 years were recognized during Convocation on August 19. From left: Environmental Systems technician Roy Sambrano, Printing specialist Lynette Mason and Vice President of Development and Outreach
All ACC LVN Grads Pass License Test for 13th year
All ACC LVN Grads Pass License Test for 13th year For the 13th straight year, every graduate from the latest class of the Alvin Community College Vocational Nursing program recently passed their licensure exam. All 20 students who graduated in May 2024 took the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) this summer. “Due to the hard work that our students put forth each year, the ACC VN program has continued to maintain a 100 percent pass rate since 2012,” said Tori McTaggart, LVN director at ACC. “I
ACC Regents Approve 2024-25 Fiscal Year Budget
The Alvin Community College Board of Regents approved the 2024-25 fiscal year budget during their meeting on August 15. Regents voted unanimously to approve the $50.7 million budget which will take effect in September. The budget includes 11 new positions most of which include new faculty members needed to address a projected increase in Dual Enrollment students. Part of the revenues from the 2024-25 budget will include an additional $1.16 million from the state legislature through the recent passage of
ACC Foundation Supporters Benefit Culinary Program – Wild Art
ACC Foundation Supporters Benefit Culinary Program – Wild Art The Alvin Community College Foundation recently partnered with Terry Droege, owner of TDEC Inc. – Electrical Contractor and Travis Plaster, owner of 7-F Fabrication in order to provide a top-of-the-line BBQ pit for the Culinary Arts program. Droege donated the barbecue pit, and Plaster, an ACC Welding department alum, refurbished it. An innovative grant from the ACC Foundation funded the restoration while Plaster donated additional materials
ACC Foundation Grant to Support Professional Development
ACC Foundation Grant to Support Professional Development The bedrock of education is built on an instructor passing down knowledge to a student. But in order for an institution to maintain a high standard, the instructors must update their knowledge from time to time. The Alvin Community College Foundation recently awarded a $2,000 grant to Nursing instructor Thirty Lacy for professional development for adjunct Vocational Nursing instructors. “We signed up for the grant for instructors to take specialized
ACC Law Enforcement Academy Graduation
ACC Law Enforcement Academy Graduation Alvin Community College had its graduation ceremony for the 122nd Law Enforcement Academy on July 29. Cadet Trenton Mitchell was named the top academic achiever for the class and cadet Brayden Vincent was named the top gun for the highest achievement in firearms training. Law Enforcement Academy An ACC cadet Lenny Valdez, right, receives his badge as the newest member of the Angleton Police Department during the 122nd ACC Law Enforcement Academy graduation
ACC Regents Approve IT Contracts
ACC Regents Approve IT Contracts The Alvin Community College Board of Regents voted to approve contracts for IT services during their meeting on July 25. The $2.44 million contract with Ellucian Colleague will include renewal for existing services as well as additional services including an intranet platform. Some of the current services included are the online classroom platform, data extraction for reporting requirements, accounting software, course management and more. Regents also approved an
ACC Upward Bound Recognition Dinner
ACC Upward Bound Recognition Dinner The Alvin Community College Upward Bound program took a moment to celebrate student achievement during their annual recognition dinner on July 23. Upward Bound seeks to motivate low-income and/or potential first-generation college students and help them develop the skills they need to complete secondary education and succeed at the postsecondary educational institution of their choice. The purpose of the program is to build confidence and self-esteem, while providing
ACC to Host Back to Campus Friday
ACC to Host Back to Campus Friday Alvin Community College will give students a chance to find their classes, meet with staff members and get ready for the semester during its first Back to Campus Friday on August 16. Students will have an opportunity to take care of any final preparations for the upcoming semester including finalizing the admissions process, registering for classes, changing their schedule, visiting with an advisor and more. “Last year, we were able to help over 500 new and
ACC Foundation Grant to Assist DCVS Volunteers
ACC Foundation Grant to Assist DCVS Volunteers The first step of any interaction between a patient and a healthcare provider usually involves an intake process. The Alvin Community College Foundation recently awarded a $1,500 grant to the Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program for digital technology to help volunteers more easily register for scans conducted by students. “Having the tablets there and accessible will help both the student and the volunteer,” said Danielle Kemendo, DCVS director. The
ACC Foundation Grant to Fund Culinary BBQ Equipment
ACC Foundation Grant to Fund Culinary BBQ Equipment In Texas, it’s simple: we enjoy our barbecue. There’s all kinds of ways to cook food on a grill and if you’re a chef, it’s important to be familiar with the ways of smoke. To do that, students need the equipment and the facilities to learn, said chef Laura Trigo, head of the Alvin Community College Culinary Arts program. “You need the proper equipment,” she said. “ We can do so much more if we have more.” The ACC Foundation awarded Trigo a $3,000
ACC Foundation Grant to Assist with TSI Prep
ACC Foundation Grant to Assist with TSI Prep Before a student can begin their journey in higher education, most will have to take the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam to determine their readiness. A $2,000 grant from the Alvin Community College Foundation will provide a preparatory course for those seeking to take the exam. “We want to make sure the student is fully prepared to take on college-level classes and be successful,” said Amanda Smithson, ACC director of Enrollment and Recruitment. “The
ACC CEWD Commencement
ACC CEWD Commencement Alvin Community College Continuing Education Workforce Development held its Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 15. ACC Graduates from the Continuing Education Workforce Development programs before the Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 15. Graduates from Continuing Education Workforce Development programs at the CEWD Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 15. Pearland Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Johnson delivers the Commencement address at the CEWD Spring Commencement Ceremony on
ACC Foundation Establishes Ed Thompson Endowment
ACC Foundation Establishes Ed Thompson Endowment In recognition of State Rep. Ed Thompson's exemplary service to the legislature and commitment to higher education in the region, the Alvin Community College Foundation has established the Ed Thompson Endowment. The Ed Thompson Endowment will provide scholarships for ACC students wishing to become educators by pursuing a degree or certification in education. The announcement of this Endowment was made during ACC's Commencement ceremony on May 10, where
ACC Regent Kam Marvel Steps Down from Board
ACC Regent Kam Marvel Steps Down from Board After attending Alvin Community College as a first-generation student and watching the college impact members of his family, Kam Marvel felt he had to serve the college in some role. “My wife and I both attended and were both first-generation students,” he said. “My sons also went through the Dual Enrollment program. ACC has changed the trajectory of many generations of my family.” Marvel decided to run for Position 1 on ACC Board of Regents and was elected in
ACC Foundation Awards Scholarships
ACC Foundation Awards Scholarships The Alvin Community College Foundation recently awarded $91,250 in scholarships to current ACC students and graduating seniors from area high schools for the 2024-2025 academic year. There were 71 scholarships awarded to graduating seniors alone at area high schools, including, but not limited to, Alvin High School, Manvel High School, Rise Academy, Dawson High School, Pearland High School, Danbury High School and Shadow Creek High Schools. Every year the ACC Foundation
ACC Regents Take Oath of Office
ACC Regents Take Oath of OfficeFour Alvin Community College regents took the oath of office during a board meeting on May 14. Regents Breah Knape, ‘Bel Sanchez, Dr. Jim Crumm, and Mike Pyburn were sworn in prior to the ceremony for positions 1, 2, 3 and 6 respectively. All four ran unopposed for the May 4 general election. Knape, Sanchez and Crumm will serve an unpaid, six-year term. Pyburn is serving the remaining two years for the Position 6 seat after regent Jake Starkey resigned in 2023. After an
ACC Commencement Ceremony
ACC Commencement Ceremony Alvin Community College held its Spring Commencement Ceremony for more than 500 students on May 10 at Freedom Field. Commencement 1 ACC President Dr. Robert J. Exley, left, hands Bryan Robbins his diploma during the 2024 Commencement ceremony on May 10. Commencement 2 Two graduates hug each other at the end of the 2024 Commencement ceremony on May 10. Commencement 3 ACC President Dr. Robert J. Exley presents State Rep. Ed Thompson with a plaque after announcing the
Nursing Students Receive Pins During Ceremony
Nursing Students Receive Pins During Ceremony Alvin Community College nursing students recently had a pinning ceremony for Associate Degree and Vocational Nursing at the ACC Gym on May 8. The Spring 2024 ADN class included 48 graduates while the LVN class included 20 graduates. The Nurse Pinning ceremony includes the graduates receiving their pin, the lighting of the ceremonial lamps and reciting the Nurse’s Pledge. Each of the graduates also had an opportunity to thank their families and friends for
ACC Celebrates 75th Anniversary
ACC Celebrates 75th Anniversary In honor of its rich history, Alvin Community College celebrated its 75th Anniversary during an event on April 30. Members of the community had the opportunity to tour a historical walk around campus, watch demonstrations from college programs and participate in family activities while enjoying performances from the college Jazz Band and Choir. There was also an exhibit of college memorabilia and photos which were collected and put on display in the Student Center
ACC Recognizes Students on Awards Day
ACC Recognizes Students on Awards Day Alvin Community College recognized several students for academic excellence during the Award Day ceremony on May 1. Among the winners included Topacio Sanchez who received the President’s Award. Sanchez is a native of Alvin who has been a volunteer on campus, served as a Peer Pathways Leader, been a member of the ACC Hispanic Club all while working with the college’s recruitment office. “Her involvement in these extracurricular activities further underscore
ACC Disaster Drill
ACC Disaster Drill Alvin Community College Allied Health programs worked together during a disaster drill on campus on April 26. The event included mock disaster scenarios that included patients suffering from gunshots, a drowning victim, injuries in a car wreck, operating an emergency room as well as dealing with multiple patients in simulated nursing wards. Drama students helped perform as some of the patients. The event included students in several programs such as Associate Degree Nursing, EMS,
ACC Regents Approve Equipment Purchases
ACC Regents Approve Equipment Purchases The Alvin Community College Board of Regents approved equipment purchases for several workforce training programs during their meeting on April 25. The board unanimously approved a $62,500 contract to purchase a holographic patient simulator for the EMS program. The simulator will utilize both virtual and augmented reality technology for students to practice their skills treating patients. The purchase was funded by a grant from the Texas Reskilling and