Ready, Set, Celebración! A celebration of achievement is the best way to describe the 10th Annual Ascender Celebración ceremony, held on Saturday, April 26, at ACC’s Eastview Campus.
Led by Ascender manager, Alejandra Polcik, and coordinator, Diana Gorostieta Martinez, the event brought together more than 350 guests to honor 70 Ascender Catch the Next students who completed their first year of college in the program.
The ceremony kicked off with a vibrant performance by Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklórico and wrapped up with live music from Los Gatos 512. Dr. Richard Armenta, former associate vice chancellor and founder of the Ascender program at ACC, delivered a powerful keynote address that left the room inspired.
ACC Trustee, Steve Jackobs, and Dr. Willie Martinez, associate vice chancellor for student engagement & academic success, presented each student with a special, celebratory graduation stole, marking their official recognition as Ascender Scholars.
About Ascender
Ascender is a year-long (fall-spring) free academic transfer-mentor program at ACC, dedicated to empowering students through a distinctive blend of transferable, contextualized courses in a small-class setting, personalized mentoring, and a designated advisor who helps students navigate their first year of college.
The program is now accepting interest forms for the Fall 2025-2026 Cohort at austincc.edu/ascender. All students are welcome to apply.