Twelve candidates are vying for four spots on the Austin Community College board of trustees. A candidate forum, organized by the League of Women Voters, is set for Thursday. Meet the candidates for Place 9, and see how they answered Community Impact Newspaper's questions.

Mitch Fuller


Q: What would be your top priority if elected?

A: ACC must aggressively execute its Guided Pathways initiative and articulate a set of metrics that measure success in terms of degrees and workforce credentials. I fully support the conclusions and recommendations of the 2016 ACC/Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Progress Towards Excellence Report, which states that ACC must prepare workers to fill high-skill, high-wage jobs in industries such as information technology, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. ACC must increase enrollment and reduce the ratio of full time and adjunct faculty, who are 2/3 of the faculty and teach 55 percent of the courses. ACC must effectively and efficiently target its resources to the classroom-on students and faculty and current staff and avoid creating new administrative positions. As a Veteran of the Iraq War, I will be a passionate advocate for the veteran student population of ACC and Central Texas. I am dedicated to building consensus across all ACC constituencies.


Guadalupe "Lupe" Sosa


Guadalupe "Lupe" Sosa, Austin Community College Place 9 candidate Guadalupe "Lupe" Sosa, Austin Community College Place 9 candidate[/caption]

Q: What would be your top priority if elected? 

A: My top priority, if elected to the board of trustees, is to increase the number of degrees and certificates awarded to ACC students by partnering with school districts, cities and counties to provide the support and resources students need to reach their educational goals, and to enhance the skills set of the local workforce to enable them to take the high paying jobs available in the region.


Jeremy Story


Jeremy Story, Austin Community College Place 9 candidate Jeremy Story, Austin Community College Place 9 candidate[/caption]

Q: What would be your top priority if elected? 

A: I want to make Austin Community College the cornerstone for education and career advancement in Central Texas. The end goal of Austin Community College should be providing successful student outcomes. Be that a technical certification, an associate’s degree, or transferring to a four-year institution, our first priority should be preparing students of all ages for the workforce. ACC ranks near the bottom of all Texas community colleges in successful granting of associate’s degrees and last in successful transfers. I will work to improve first time student orientation, increase academic advisors and see guided pathways set up for students.

Julie Ann Nitch


Julie Ann Nitch, Austin Community College Place 9 candidate Julie Ann Nitch, Austin Community College Place 9 candidate[/caption]

Q: What would be your top priority if elected? 

A: Austin Community College board of trustees should implement practical changes to increase students success rates. Students and staff need increased access to public transportation, child care, and healthcare.

 

 




Read the Q&As from the candidates running for ACC board of trustees in Place 4, Place 5 and Place 6 . For the ACC district service area map click here.

League of Women Voters ACC board candidate open forum
Thu., Sept. 29
6-8:30 p.m.
Highland Business Center, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin