Austin Community College District (ACC) will soon launch a new initiative to build human-centered and human-first artificial intelligence (AI) programs at the College. The announcement was made on Wednesday, March 11, at ACC’s Rio Grande Campus.
“AI is dominating every conversation, whether it is in person, online, and media. We’re all trying to understand what it is in this moment. If we could figure out how to use it more effectively, first, we can ensure that it stays human-centered, and human-first, and an ethical, safe use of data,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “ACC is the right place because we’re committed to loving our students and community to success. That means not just providing the experiences and the tools, but doing so in a way that privileges humanity and activates our humanity. That’s who we are, separate from AI.”
Supported by an $875,000 three-year grant from the Trellis Foundation, the initiative will do three major things in its first year:
AI-Powered Student Support
The College will integrate real-time student data to help identify potential barriers early and connect students more quickly to support services such as advising, tutoring, financial aid, mental health services, and basic needs resources. Nationally, nearly four in 10 community college students do not complete a credential within six years, often due to financial, academic, or personal challenges that surface too late for intervention. This work is expected to start in April 2026.
“Having support come to me would have helped me from the start of my journey 19 years ago. It might have stopped me from dropping out of school. I felt like if I had nowhere to go, it would have made a difference for someone to come to me and say, ‘Hey, this is who you need to speak to. Talk to your professors. Make sure you communicate. You don’t always know what you can’t do after having a child. That kind of support would have helped me,” said Shilda Fresch, ACC Alumna.
AI Workforce Pathways
The College will build and launch a new AI-focused workforce pathway, including a new Electrician Certification program designed to prepare students for careers supporting the growing digital and AI infrastructure across Central Texas.
“Workforce development is a big part of it, but it’s about making the entire ecosystem better for everyone. A partnership doesn’t just start and stop in some micro way. It’s organic. It’s about students. It’s about the business. It’s about the community. It’s about society. If you just work on one facet of this, you don’t get the benefit and the amplification that we are really looking for,” said Mark Duval, CEO of Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce.
AI Workforce & Business Training
The College will develop outreach and training programs to help small businesses understand and adopt AI tools so that they can scale their work.
“We’re going to learn and work with AI rather than to compete against it,” said U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett. “ACC is (here), ready to meet the challenge. We’ve seen that adaptability at the ACC Impact Lab and at the Software Factory. ACC is working to train the next generation of experts.”
The College will continue sharing updates as the initiative progresses.