Austin Community College District (ACC) updates its Health Sciences leadership structure to better support students as healthcare programs continue to expand.
After nearly two years of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, Health Sciences welcomes two new leaders—Dr. Tiffany Ricks as the inaugural Dean of Nursing, and Dr. Jennifer Rigsby as the Division’s first Director of Clinical Operations & Compliance.
“Our region is experiencing significant growth, alongside well-established critical shortages in nursing, radiologic and diagnostic technology, and other healthcare disciplines. What ACC offers in its high-quality, low-cost healthcare programs meets a critical regional need,” says Dr. Nina Almasy, Associate Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences. “As healthcare delivery becomes more complex and with the aging of the population and healthcare workforce, our role in the community becomes increasingly vital. We must continually ask how we are preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and leaders.”
These positions, effective January 12, 2026, are designed to enhance cross-functional collaboration, student success, and streamline clinical operations.
ACC expects its nursing programs to double in size by 2030, driven in part by the new Health Sciences campus in Hays. As enrollment grows, so does the complexity of clinical placements, compliance requirements, and academic coordination. These new leadership roles are focused on making sure systems keep pace. This will help you stay on track without added confusion or delays.
The Dean of Nursing role brings clearer alignment across ACC’s nursing programs, helping ensure you have a consistent experience regardless of campus. The Director of Clinical Operations & Compliance focuses on managing clinical onboarding, safety requirements, and partnerships with healthcare facilities.
Together, this updated structure helps ACC provide stable pathways, smoother clinical experiences, and strong academic oversight.
For more information on the programs, visit austincc.edu/healthsciences.