Dr. Chris Cervini
Dr. Chris Cervini is currently Vice Chancellor for Community and Public Affairs at Austin Community College District (ACC). He is responsible for engaging ACC’s external stakeholders to create deeper connections between the college and community. Cervini works with elected leaders at the local, state, and federal levels; local community-based organizations; and other stakeholders, such as chambers of commerce, to advocate for the college and its students.
In his current role, he oversees the Center for Nonprofit Studies (Nonprofit Austin), ACC’s elections and voter registration efforts, its community engagement and public affairs activities, and the Military Families Center. Chris has officially been at ACC since 2015, but he first fell in love with the college as an independent consultant during the 2014 General Obligation Bond effort that resulted in $385 million in facility improvements for the district. While at ACC, he is most proud of his work in support of the establishment and expansion of community college baccalaureate degrees during the 85th and 87th Texas Legislatures, the successful $770 million 2022 bond effort, and the passage of community college finance reform in the 88th Legislature.
Before embarking on a career path in higher education, Cervini had a long career in public policy and communications, serving as Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico from 2002-2006. He also served as a Vice President for a Western regional public-affairs and strategic-communications firm and held senior communications roles in the healthcare industry. Chris believes higher education is the best strategy for achieving upward social mobility in a society that has become increasingly imperiled by rising economic inequality. He received his doctorate in higher education leadership at the University of Texas at Austin, has a master’s degree in political science from The American University in Washington, D.C., and received his bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism/mass communications from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Chris has two children attending Round Rock ISD schools. His wife, Georgette, is an environmental consultant and an expert in greenhouse gas regulations. In his spare time Chris likes to write and travel.
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