Colleagues,
Earlier this week, staff and administrators received an invitation to participate in a survey supporting the discovery phase of ACC’s Compensation & Classification Study. Staff feedback will help shape a more equitable, transparent, and student-centered environment—one where each role is clearly defined, fairly compensated, and aligned with ACC’s future. Our mission to provide a student-centered experience depends on a mission-aligned staff. By taking part in this survey, you’ll directly influence how ACC values, supports, and invests in its people, advancing our commitment to long-term goals like ACC’s “North Star” objective to reach a 70% student completion rate by 2030.
Why This Study Is Needed Now
This study arrives at a critical time for ACC. Many requests for job reviews and salary adjustments have been on hold pending this comprehensive review, which allows us to address key issues systematically rather than piecemeal. The Compensation & Classification Study will provide a thorough assessment of staff roles and compensation, with three primary goals:
Improve Pay Equity: The study will compare our pay scales with industry standards to ensure that staff compensation is fair, competitive, and appropriately reflects each role’s responsibilities and requirements. This will help ACC maintain a compensation structure that supports equitable growth and retention.
Alleviate Salary Compression: Salary compression occurs when there is minimal pay difference between employees with varying levels of experience or responsibility. This study will assess where salary compression may exist within ACC, allowing us to address disparities and establish a pay structure that accurately reflects differences in roles and tenure.
Clear and Consistent Job Classifications: Updating job descriptions and classifications will help create clear expectations, align responsibilities with titles, and provide transparent pathways for career growth.
Unlike a “Market Study”, which focuses solely on competitive pay rates, this Compensation & Classification Study goes deeper, examining jobs, responsibilities, and pay structures to ensure they align with ACC’s mission and the unique value of each role. Periodic studies like this help organizations stay aligned with changing needs and maintain fair, consistent frameworks over time.
Where are we in the study?
ACC STAFF members are invited to participate in a survey by November 13. This survey is for staff and hourly employees only, not faculty, and it’s an essential step in mapping out current roles to ensure they reflect the work you do every day. Your feedback will help Guidehouse identify pain points, highlight what’s working, and uncover opportunities – all while maintaining confidentiality. The information collected will be used only in aggregate.

Thank You to Our Workgroup
I want to express our gratitude to the Compensation & Classification Study Workgroup, comprised of administrators and representatives from the Professional-Technical and Classified Employee Associations. Their feedback has been vital in shaping this study and guiding survey development and communication.
Special thanks to:
Classified Employee Association Representatives: Nathaniel Hellman, Bernie Hinterlong, Kimberly Anderson, Matthew Campbell
Professional Technical Staff Representatives: Victor Sibaja-Molina, David DeRouen, QueenSamantha Ackers
Administrators: Dr. Shasta Buchanan, Dr. Jenna Cullinane-Hege, Michael Midgley
Their collaboration ensures that this initiative is inclusive and reflective of the diverse needs of our community.
Where can I get more information?
Please visit the Compensation Study page. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to guidehouse@austincc.edu or hrsupport@austincc.edu.
Thank you for being a part of this important work and for your ongoing dedication to ACC’s mission. Let’s continue building a more fair and equitable workplace together.
Peace and Love,
Kelly Torrico
HR Vice Chancellor
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