Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrates the achievements of students transferring to four-year universities this fall with a special Transfer Achievement Celebration.
The event on Thursday, July 31, at ACC’s Highland Campus recognized students with a dinner and short program honoring their hard work, determination, and next steps. Among the 30 students planning to attend are future Longhorns, Bobcats, Bears, Red Raiders, and even a Trojan from the University of Southern California.
One of those students is Ashley Raumaker, a nontraditional student whose journey at ACC has been years in the making.
“My time at Austin Community College has been truly transformative,” says Ashley. “As a nontraditional student, I came to ACC with a deep love of learning but also a lot of uncertainty. I wasn’t sure how I’d fit in or where I’d find my place, but ACC quickly became more than just a college. It became a community.”
Ashley began at ACC in 2008. She completed her Associate of Arts in General Studies in Liberal Arts in spring 2025. During her time at ACC, she jumped into campus life, serving as a Riverbat Ambassador, leading Collegiate DECA as president, participating in the Honors Program, and hosting events like the Wonder of Literature Fair–– an event to help celebrate literary creativity and academic discovery.
“These experiences helped me grow not just as a student, but as a leader, advocate, and future educator,” she says.
This fall, Ashley will transfer to the University of Texas at Austin (UT). She was one of 13 ACC students celebrating their transfer to UT at this year’s event. Others are heading to Texas State, Baylor, Texas Tech, Angelo State, Texas A&M-Central Texas, Southern Methodist, St. Edward’s, the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, and more.
“It feels like a dream that’s finally starting to come true,” says Ashley. “Transferring to UT-Austin is both exciting and a little surreal. I’ve worked really hard to get here, balancing school, work, leadership roles, and life as a fully independent student, and now I get to take that next step surrounded by a community of thinkers, creators, and change-makers.”
Ashley credits her transfer specialist, Victor Gonzales, for guiding her through the process with support, strategy, and encouragement.
“He was one of the first people to truly see how serious I was about getting to UT-Austin,” she says. “He helped me stay focused and strategic throughout the process. He encouraged me when I felt overwhelmed and reminded me that my goals were within reach.”
She also sends her thanks to: Leticia Botello (my main Advisor), April Seaborne (Student Life Coordinator for San Gabriel Campus), Professor Kathy Walton (DECA Advisor), Professor James Burleson (Latin Professor and Recommendation Letter) and Professor David Lauderback (Honors History II Professor and Letter of Recommendation) for helping her transfer dream come true.
For Ashley, ACC will always be the place where her journey took root.
“That’s where I found my voice, my confidence, and my purpose,” she says. “Now, I get to bring everything I learned with me to the Forty Acres, and that feels incredibly empowering.”
As she prepares to start her next chapter, Ashley has a message for anyone considering college:
“Do it. Don’t listen to the voices that say you’re not ready, not smart enough, not the ‘right kind’ of student. You can do this thing… Just take that first step. I’m so glad I did, and I promise, you will be too.”
For more information for those looking to take the next steps, visit austincc.edu/transfer.