In continuation of our coverage of the Great Questions Seminars, we are pleased to bring you our first interview with a program faculty member! Ted Hadzi-Antich, Jr. is the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Government at ACC, and is one of the founding faculty of GQ. I sat down with Ted to chat about his experience as a GQ instructor, and to get his answer to the million-dollar question: Why, in 2019, is it important for students (and the rest of us) to read an entire book cover to cover?
Tell us more about your role in the Great Questions seminar.
I’m the Project Director of our grant program- essentially, I’m the principle investigator of all things Great Questions – and I also teach a section of the course. My big role is to instigate the faculty collaboration, and to train faculty. The project started about five years ago when ACC mandated a student success class. Several of us faculty had an alternate vision for what that class could be. The result was GQ, which fulfills the student success requirement, but instead of a typical lecture course, it’s faculty-lead and seminar-based. There is a lot of faculty collaboration within the program: we all teach from a common syllabus (so that we’re all quite literally on the same page) and attend monthly lunch meetings where we discuss what’s happening in our classrooms, what’s working what’s not, and how to plan for the future. This is the second semester we’ve offered these classes for credit, so we’re always learning from each other. Any faculty who teach humanities classes can attend our six-week training classes and become part of the program – this year we’ve already trained 34 faculty members!
I’m excited to announce an exhibit of artwork by students in our new Honors Painting course!
The artists in the show are students from the inaugural year of a unique studio art course now offered at ACC, Honors Painting. Guided by Professor Shawn Camp, students in the course develop a body of work through an enhanced curriculum that challenges and expands their perspectives as artists and painters. The exhibition is curated by the students themselves.
Featured Artists in this exhibit are Jess Butler, Cindy Cannon, Jennifer Conroy, Judy Conroy, Terry Cowen, Lin Flores, Alison Hall, Erin Leary, Leticia Mosqueda, Juliette Nickel, Tammy Mabra, Alexis Schoelkopf, Gabriela Vidal, Debbie Ward, Clover Watson, Aimee Williams, and Janie Zackin.
Check out program testimonies from ACC students who completed the Fall 2018 GQ Seminar!
For most people who choose to attend college (and community college, in particular), one of the biggest motivations is improved economic prospects. And while this is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of post-secondary education, many students feel – for reasons as complex and diverse as the rich mosaic of our student body – that the traditional “academic” experience is not for them.
But pondering the “Great Questions” – the central concerns about what it means to be a human being – is a birthright that belongs to all of us, not just a few. And it’s for this reason that something grand is happening at ACC: we’re bringing the Great Questions down from the ivory tower and into the real-world lives of everyday students across the spectrum of the community college experience.
For some time (like, since we invented MSTAs), it’s bothered me that adjuncts get notices of MSTA openings when, in fact, there aren’t actual openings. I’d like to take a moment to explain three ways this can happen and tell you what I’d like to do about it.
You know, that special day of the year when you can purchase art and handmade goodies from ACC students working towards completing their degrees? Yes, that time of year is here again.
Join us at Highland Campus on Thursday, December 6th, from 10am – 6pm to shop for unique gifts this holiday season, all while supporting small student creators. That’s what we call a win-win!
Most are unaware that “age” is not included in the majority of American corporate and educational diversity, inclusion and equity strategies. As age affects all populations – we are either “old” or “future-old” – its exclusion is, at best, dissociative, and at worst, self-sabotaging.
~Ashton Applewhite, “Let’s End Ageism” TED Talk
How you can support the Senior Workforce Development Institute
ACC welcomes Dr. Ghislain Potriquet, one of our collaborating professors at The University of Strasbourg, our partner for ACC Government Department’s Study Abroad Program in France. Dr. Potriquet is delivering the November lecture in The Global Issues Speakers Series, Wednesday, November 14, EVC 8500, 5:00-7:00 PM.
Economic and Societal Changes in The United States and Europe
In both the United States and France, two unlikely candidates won the last presidential elections: Donald J. Trump and Emmanuel Macron. As the two leaders met for the first time in the spring of 2017, their differences were eclipsed by a strong relationship. Their so-called “bromance” continues to puzzle observers on both side of the Atlantic. What do the two leaders have really in common? Ghislain Potriquet will attempt to answer this question by putting their elections in perspective. He will argue that they are evidence of broad economic and societal changes in the United States and Europe.
Ghislain Potriquet is associate professor of American studies at the Université de Strasbourg, France. He holds a PhD in American studies from Université Paris 3 – Sorbonne Nouvelle. He teaches American history and political sciences classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research interests include language diversity and historiography.
As you probably know, we are implementing many of the recommendations of the DC Compensation workgroup, including a newly defined job description for assistant deans and the new role of Registration Liaison. Letters of interest were due earlier this week. Here’s what you need to know about the selection process:
Assistant Deans
Each dean area will have two assistant deans, selected according to these guidelines from our AVP, Gaye Lynn Scott:
use a hiring committee of at least three
look for expertise or familiarity with programs in the dean area
look for expertise or familiarity with student learning outcomes and assessment, program planning (planning in general), continuous improvement, etc. for the AD Pathways
look for expertise or familiarity with teaching in an online environment, Quality Matters, good practice in distance education for the AD Distance Ed
consider asking for a presentation or a written overview along the lines of “how would you help the programs in this dean area systematically and effectively meet QM standards for all DE offerings by Fall 2020?” for the interview
We want to have our assistant deans in place for the spring semester, and so I am in the process of forming selection committees in the next week. Once I have the letters of interest from HR, we will review and select interviewees. My plan is to have the selection completed before Thanksgiving.
Registration Liaisons
Registration liaisons are faculty who perform many of the same registration-related functions of the old assistant dean position. Instead of release time, Registration Liaisons will receive stipends. There will be 16 registration liaisons assigned to specific campuses and reporting to the academic dean for the assigned campus. As of this week, the projected assignments are:
Cypress: 2 (one for CYP, one for SGC), reporting to Matthew
Eastview: 1, reporting to PatHays: 1, reporting to Giao
Northridge, 3, reporting to Lorlie
Highland: 3 (also covering Elgin), reporting to David and/or Tom
Rio Grande: 1, reporting to Sam
Riverside: 2, reporting to Brandon
Round Rock: 2, reporting to Brandon and/or Pat
South Austin: 1, reporting to Linda
These projections are based on student population characteristics at the campuses, but note that registration liaisons will assist students in all AoSs. (For more information about this role, see Mike Midgley’s recent email about the recommendations of the DC Compensation Workgroup.)
We will likely adopt a selection process similar to that for Assistant Deans. I will update this post when I have more specifics.
In case you are wondering, LAHC department chairs also benefitted from the workgroup’s study. Beginning in the spring, all our LAHC DCs will have an increase in release time to support their work. In future, LAHC DCs will have 18 LEH per year release.
I am very pleased with the long-overdue “upgrade” to department chair compensation. I think the realignment of assistant deans to support departments and registration liaisons to support students is also a productive change.
Four faculty from LAHC are among the 2018-19 Faculty Fellows. Please join me in congratulating our faculty!
Susan Meigs, ENGL
Anne Fletcher, INRW
Aimee Finney, CommS
Erin Bannen, PRH
The Faculty Fellows is a project of ACC’s Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. Learn more about this program on the FCTL website. Get involved! Find out about additional opportunities to be part of the action!
I have to be honest and say I prefer visiting transfer fairs as an alumni!
A very long time ago, about 2013, I was an ACC student preparing to complete my Associate of Arts in Creative Writing and transfer to the University of Texas to pursue a BA in English. Even though I had a GPA that I was proud of and a hearty resume of honors, internships, campus leadership and community involvement, the most nerve-wracking part of the transfer process for me came in the form of a single question: “Do I have what they’re looking for?” Maybe I should have paid even more attention to grades and less to community service. Or maybe I didn’t do enough of either. Or too much of both. Or maybe…[enter the anxiety-brain spiral. Good luck finding your way out.]
Happily, I was accepted (Hook ‘Em!). But perhaps if I’d done my research, and known the precise criteria my university of choice uses to make transfer admissions decisions instead of going off generic advice – make the best grades that you can, do as much community service as possible, etc. – I could have saved a lot of time, energy, and headache as I stressed over whether or not I was above standard (pardon the perfectionism. It’s the Scorpio in me).
Last week, I attended the ACC Transfer Fair at Highland Campus and spoke with real-live transfer admissions counselors from some of the more popular colleges and universities in the state of Texas. As it turns out, not all four-year schools base their admissions decisions on the same criteria, despite what you may have been told. Take a look at what they had to say – you may be surprised!
Rachel Garcia of Baylor University – Waco: Our admissions decisions are based entirely on a prospective student’s GPA: the minimum we consider is 2.75, and certain majors have even higher requirements. You don’t need to have specific classes in order to transfer. For example: say you’re interested in transferring to pursue an engineering degree. You won’t be required to have your calculus credit in order to apply!
Asia Haney of Houston-Tillotson University – Austin: Our primary requirement is that all of our undergraduate students, whether first-time freshman or transfers, meet the minimum TSI requirements for math and English readiness – we want you to spend your time in college preparing for the future and enjoying student life, not taking remedial courses! All transfer students need to have at least a 2.5 GPA within the last 24 credits received, although there is no minimum amount of credits needed to transfer. All of our institutional scholarships also require a minimum 2.5 for consideration (and we have lots of money we want to give you!) Aside from the academic requirements, we are a very family oriented, close-knit university, with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. What we’re really looking for are leaders, trendsetters, and game changers – students who care about and are involved in the community, especially the East Austin neighborhood. We want you to add to our campus culture, take advantage of the opportunities we offer, and leave a legacy.
Katie Lowe of Sam Houston State University – Huntsville: Our GPA requirements vary depending on the number of hours completed: freshman and students with 0-17 hours require a 2.5, and those with 18 or more will need a 2.0. Keep in mind that certain degree plans have major-specific requirements – my advice is to always check the course catalog when preparing your application materials. Although there is no minimum amount of credits required for transfer, SHSU is only able to accept a maximum of 66 hours – so make sure they count towards your degree (and be sure to watch for scholarship deadlines!)
Scott Sandoval of Southwestern University – Georgetown: We want to make sure any student coming in will be successful and able to handle the course work, so we’re looking for good, strong overall performance. Our target GPA is 3.0, and most ACC students transfer in with at least a 3.2. All students must meet TSI requirements for college level writing. We practice something called Writing Across the Curriculum, so no matter your major, you’re writing across multiple disciplines (English, science, mathematics, history, etc.). Therefore, strong writing skills are an absolute necessity. We are also interested in people who demonstrate leadership and community involvement, but this is secondary.
Jeremy Sanford of the University of Houston – Houston: We offer assured admission to all students with 15 credit hours and a 2.5 GPA. Business & Engineering have higher requirements. I always advise hopeful students to utilize our website for our transfer guides to make sure they on the right track for the degree plan they wish to pursue, and that their courses will transfer. Also, please put this in quotes: “UH is better than the rest.”
Vince Henderson of Concordia University – Austin: We look for people who are attentive, responsive, and looking to get the best out of their education. Ours is not a holistic review process – we primarily base decisions on a student’s GPA, which must be above a 2.0. There are also major-specific requirements, particularly for our Nursing and Business programs: pay attention to which courses you’re taking, and be sure to work closely with your academic advisor. We offer a credit evaluation to make sure all your hours will transfer. It is also possible to request a review process if your application falls short of our minimum requirements. We’re happy to help you as much as possible to get your application filled and submitted. And here’s a little-known fact about us: our campus lies on a nature preserve!
For more information and assistance with your transfer process, visit your campus Academic Advising office.
