Sean Hassan
Sean Hassan, Austin Community College Place 4 candidate[/caption]
Q: What would be your top priority if elected?
A: I'm running to serve as an ACC trustee, as I'm keen to strengthen collaboration with technology companies and the broader business community. I want more ACC students to be exposed to the skills that they will need to secure jobs in cutting-edge industries that are expanding in the Austin area by the day. I'm also keen to expand ACC partnerships with high schools to increase (i) dual-credit programs offered to students motivated to take college courses in high school and (ii) vocational classes for those interested in beginning job training while in high school. Students who acquire ACC credits in high school can save on college tuition, reduce their college loans and spend less time in job-training programs after high school graduation, thereby getting higher-paying jobs sooner.
Michael J. Lewis
Michael J. Lewis, Austin Community College Place 4 candidate[/caption]
Q: What would be your top priority if elected?
A: As trustee, one of my top priorities would be to provide outreach programs to the elementary and middle schools to prepare students for areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Middle school is when ACC needs to begin recruiting because it takes time for the student to become familiar with technical material. We know this is beneficial in the long run because this is where most of the jobs are—in STEM and a component of it, healthcare. Why a middle school emphasis? Because data have shown that deficiencies and disparities begin to present themselves during the middle school years—which become more pronounced during high school. We need to expose and inspire students long before they are teenagers. Consider an analogy to sports: Young people become exposed to football and sports long before they are in high school. Workforce development programs and community college education should have at least as much emphasis as playing football. The great advantage of community colleges is that they can serve people in communities throughout their entire lives—often referred to as a P-16 strategy, or even broader, a "cradle to career strategy."
George Robinson
George Robinson, Austin Community College Place 4 candidate[/caption]
Q: What would be your top priority if elected?
A: Top priority for me will be to make sure that taxpayer money invested in ACC is put to its highest and best use. I am adamantly opposed to raising tuition and think that more needs to be done to increase admission and retention of students. I do not like the idea of raising taxes. Therefore, the administration needs to be very efficient in [its] use of money and stay focused on returns to taxpayer investment. The board needs to demand accountability and transparency from the administration.
Read the Q&As from the candidates running for ACC board of trustees in Place 5, Place 6 and Place 9.
