amarillo chamber of commerce - HPN Books

AMARILLOCOLLEGEAmarillo College has not merely stood thetest of time; it has long since exceeded theexpectations of even its most visionary founders.Established in 1929, with eighty-six studentsanswering the inaugural roll call,Amarillo College today is a vibrant, multifacetedcommunity college that typically enrollsmore than 11,000 students in academicclasses at six campuses and an outreach center.Additionally, some 26,000 area residentsregularly take advantage of AC’s plentifulassortment of professional development andpersonal enrichment courses under theumbrella of Continuing Education.With a proven blend of quality and affordabilitythat makes Texas community collegesso appealing—fifty-five percent of studentsenrolled in higher education in Texas attenda community college—Amarillo College providesstudents with a solid academic foundation,whether they are looking to immediatelyenter the workforce or proceed to a university.The cost of attending Amarillo College isapproximately one-third that of the cost of apublic university in Texas, and it is by lawthat AC credits transfer to Texas’ publicuniversities. About sixty percent of academicstudents at AC aspire to at least a four yeardegree, so those who earn an associate degreebefore they transfer to a university are halfwayto their goal and at a fraction of the cost theymight have otherwise absorbed.For those looking to enter the workforcewithout delay, AC offers certificate andtechnical-degree programs designed in collaborationwith local industry to equip studentswith the skills necessary to take advantage ofimmediate career opportunities. The result isan economic boon for families and industry,alike. Among AC’s most recent additions inresponse to industry need are programs inwind and solar energy, sonography and utilitypower worker.AC, which enjoys unflagging communitysupport, received a major boost in 2007 withpassage of a $68 million bond issue. Amongthe many projects this enabled AC toundertake was construction of theScience Laboratory Building on theWashington Street Campus and a threestory nursing and dental health centerknown as Jones Hall that opened inlate 2010 on the West Campus.In 2011, AC joined elite companywhen it was chosen to become amember of Achieving the Dream,a prestigious, select nationwideconsortium of community collegesjoined through nonprofits like theLumina Foundation for Education.The aim of Achieving the Dream isto prioritize the improvement of studentsuccess, and AC became onlythe 130th community college selectedfor inclusion from a pool of morethan 1,200 throughout the nation.AC is accredited by the SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools.Above: Amarillo College typically enrollsmore than 11,000 students in academicclasses at six campuses and an outreachcenter. Amarillo College blends qualityand affordability.Below: Amarillo College enjoys unflaggingcommunity support, as evidenced bypassage of a $68 million bond issuein 2007.QUALITY OF LIFE207