Transform_ED is a year-long Austin Community College District (ACC) research initiative and plan to anticipate and address future changes in higher education. The purpose of the research is to “analyze how external factors may impact future programmatic growth and student success at ACC to inform strategic positioning and decision-making" (Austin Community College District, n.d., Mission). The program brings together representatives from ACC’s Instruction Division, Student Affairs Division, and Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED) to:

1. Anticipate changes in higher education and industry;
2. Conduct risk and value analyses;
3. Design mitigation strategies; and
4. Propose recommendations for future programs, degrees, and services.

Representatives from participating divisions selected Transform_ED’s first cohort of faculty and staff scholars/practitioners in summer 2023. Cohort 1 engaged in joint research during fall 2023 and focused on designing prototypes in spring 2024. Critical aspects of the program include an introduction to design thinking, including a workshop by IBM; monthly joint innovation meetings; the development of prototypes to advance student success; and sharing learned concepts within participants' divisions. Transform_ED empowers faculty and staff to lead innovation efforts and drive student success.

Transform_ED Team

Feedback From Transform_ED Cohort Members

The select quotes from participants below highlight the program's impact on their professional development, collaboration skills, and understanding of student needs. Participants consistently describe the experience as transformative, inspiring, and valuable for their personal growth and the college's future.

Leveraging self-recorded video testimonials and collaborating with key departments, we crafted a compelling narrative of our yearlong journey. The result: a dynamic showcase on our website that not only highlights our innovative approach but also serves as a beacon for future participants and stakeholders alike. This ACC initiative could be adapted at other community colleges as a way to inform institutional efforts.

If I used a single word to describe Transform_Ed, it would be transformative. But if we were going beyond that, I’d say inspiring. The overall experience was absolutely positive. I got to meet so many new people and see how the college worked. I think we often get stuck in the way that we do things or the way we were trained to do things. Seeing how other departments work, you can take some of that and bring it back to your department. You get their experience, and their viewpoints, and also you get to hear about their students, which is the most important thing - that we always go back to the students.

When you have a positive work environment, great leadership, a great team, and a lot of camaraderie, really inspiring things happen. I think this was just the beginning for ACC.

Sami Froncek, Adjunct Faculty, Arts, Digital Media, and Communications

I would define my experience with Transform_Ed as fun, enlightening, and innovative. What I really appreciated most was that it allowed me to tap into my creative side, which sometimes can go dormant after teaching the same courses over and over and working on similar projects.

Transform_Ed has not only impacted my professional career, but my curriculum. It has also impacted how I interact with students and how I see students, especially from an empathetic point of view.

As faculty members, we tend to really focus on helping students learn our particular area of expertise. When we got to listen to the student panels through Transform_Ed, we learned about the goals, the purpose of their higher education goals, and how did they define success, and what did their dream college look like. These are things we don’t get to learn in the classroom, but we did get to hear those messages through Transform_Ed.

Theresa Glenn, Professor, Communication Studies

My personal experience with Transform_Ed has been an amazing privilege. It's been wonderful to be a part of the inaugural class and my overall experience has been one I will always treasure. I have created bonds with our Student Affairs team, and I know these bonds will continue to thrive even long after the program ends. And my experience with the TLED and Instruction groups has provided me with a greater understanding of their roles in the college and of the contributions that we all make to achieve similar goals.

Transform_Ed has given me an enlightened view of the college experience from the student’s perspective. Our deep dives into data helped me see the real story and the real jobs that need to be done to bridge the gaps.

Through Transform_Ed, I discovered that there are real opportunities within ACC, the city of Austin, and in our campus communities where we can build partnerships that can make real innovation happen. The potential and the infrastructure are there for building the college of the future.

Patricia Phea, Supervisor, Assessment/Testing Center

The most enjoyable aspect of the Transform_Ed program for me was working with other faculty members. Having a team of people who were excited to learn more about the college and a team willing to give their energy . . . Because everyone shared, everyone assisted each other and encouraged one another. I can speak for myself, there were technological areas I had never been exposed to until this Transform_Ed program. I’m still trying to navigate those programs, and that software, and those platforms. But it’s a blessing to have had the instructional and faculty members as part of the team. Where I had strength in one area, I was able to help someone, and they could help me in another. We exchanged our strengths so that we all were stronger.

Felicia Williams-Dennis, Adjunct Faculty, Public and Social Services

My overall experience with Transform_Ed was incredibly enriching. The program had its ups and downs, but each moment contributed to my growth and understanding of our collective mission. I had the pleasure of working with peers from various departments, various areas of study, leadership, and stakeholders from TLED and Student Affairs. These connections have been instrumental in my journey, providing new perspectives and collaborative opportunities that continue to benefit me.

“The Transform_Ed program has significantly influenced my career goals and future aspirations. It has reinforced my commitment to student-centered education and inspired me to pursue initiatives that drive meaningful change - not only in our college, but our community. . . . It is a transformative program that fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation. My advice to future participants is to embrace every opportunity, engage with your peers, and apply the knowledge gained to make a lasting impact.

Jaime Cantu, Full-Time Faculty, Science, Engineering and Math

Click here to view a testimonial video from Transform_Ed Cohort 1.

Reference

Austin Community College District. (n.d.). Transform_ED. https://sites.google.com/austincc.edu/transform-ed/home?authuser=0

Lead image: Transform_ED team learning about AI

Monique Umphrey, D.M., is Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas.

Opinions expressed in Member Spotlight are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the League for Innovation in the Community College.