Austin American-Statesman

Austin American-Statesman September 22, 2006 ACC among Star Award finalists

Austin Community College and seven other institutions were named finalists Thursday for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Star Award, which recognizes exemplary contributions in addressing the state's higher education challenges.

Award winners will be announced at a Nov. 6 ceremony at the coordinating board's Governing Board Conference in Austin.

ACC was cited for its College Connection program, under which high school seniors at participating schools are required to apply to ACC. All students who apply to ACC are accepted.

The other finalists are Amarillo College, for its disAbility Services Program; Stephen F. Austin State University, for its Academic Assistance and Resource Center; Tarrant County College District, for its SureStart Program; the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College, for the Office of Pre-Medical Education Programs; the University of Texas at El Paso, for the Chemistry Peer Leader Program; the University of North Texas, for its Computer Science and Engineering Recruiting and Retention Program; and YES College Preparatory Schools.

Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes said the finalists' programs further the goals of the state's higher education plan, Closing the Gaps by 2015. The plan seeks to narrow the gap in educational achievement between Texas and other large states, as well as the gap in Texas between minority students and white students.