Academic Affairs Initiatives
This page provides real-time updates on major initiatives shaping Austin Community College’s (ACC) instructional future. Last updated Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Have any questions? Please send an email to vcinstruction@austincc.edu.
Our work in Academic Affairs is focused on building a future-ready instructional model that strengthens support for faculty, improves clarity for students, and aligns operations with the College’s Theory of Change and North Star goals. Below is a summary of key initiatives currently underway.
Key AY 2026 Initiatives
Instructional Staff Rebranding to Academic Affairs
We are transitioning from ”Instruction,” “Instructional Services,” or “Instructional Staff” language to a unified “Academic Affairs” identity to reflect our broader purpose, structure, and strategic alignment across instructional divisions. This change is in effect, and the efforts to update websites and other collateral materials are ongoing.
Academic Affairs Process Audit (EPMO)
The Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) is conducting a light-touch functional and process audit to identify redundancies, gaps, and opportunities to streamline our work.
Expected Report: January 2026
Purpose: Improve efficiency and reduce operational burden. While no roles or programs are being restructured, it is possible that a small number of units or individuals may shift reporting lines to better align related work. Any adjustments would be minimal, collaborative, and grounded in clarity—not consolidation. Learn more here.
Distributed Leadership Implementation Work Group (DLIWG)
The DLIWG (“the DillyWig”) is designing and implementing a more sustainable model for department chair leadership.
In Progress:
- Additional release time for chairs
- Development of assistant department chair structure
- Posting of operations manager roles to support chairs and deans
Goal: Build a leadership model that supports long-term sustainability, clarity, and belonging.
Launch of New Offices and Roles
Office of Strategic Scheduling (Launching Spring 2026)
A new position, Dean of Strategic Scheduling, will be hired early in the spring semester.
This office will centralize data, analysis, and course-taking insights to strengthen schedule planning and better meet student enrollment needs.
New Deans and Leadership Roles
- Dean of Nursing
- Director of Clinical Compliance
These roles were created using existing vacancies and were developed to support the growing complexity and compliance needs of Health Sciences.
Area of Study (AoS) Updates
Renaming & Structural Alignment
We are exploring new, clearer language to replace “Areas of Study,” based on faculty, staff, and student feedback. This includes evaluating how program groupings can better align with dean areas to reduce confusion and improve pathway clarity. Complete the survey, available to the entire ACC community, by February 20, 2026.
Computer Science & Information Technology Restructure (CSIT)
To improve clarity and better support rapidly evolving fields, CSIT has been reorganized into two departments:
- Software Development and Computer Science Department
- Information Technology and Cybersecurity Department
AY 2027 Initiatives
Program Review Process Redesign (Program Health)
Launching in AY 2027, the redesigned Program Review will be built around standardized, widely used program health metrics to support continuous improvement and strategic program decisions.
Led By: Office of Institutional Research and Analytics (OIRA), in partnership with Academic Affairs
Purpose: Provide consistent, transparent data to support long-term academic planning.
Initiative Timeline
The timeline below reflects our current planning. Dates are subject to change as the work evolves, but we are committed to sharing updates regularly and keeping you informed every step of the way.
Fall 2025
- November 21: Department Chair Meeting
- November–December: Administrative and leadership review of Areas of Study structure
- December: AVC deliberation and development of draft Area of Study recommendations
Spring 2026
- January: Faculty input on Areas of Study naming/structure
- February: EPMO delivers process audit findings
- February: Student input on Areas of Study
- February: All-Hands Meeting – Academic Affairs Leadership
- March: Review and analysis of the EPMO report
- Launch of Office of Strategic Scheduling
Summer–Fall 2026
- Implementation planning for approved AoS renaming and alignment
- Continued DLIWG implementation
AY 2027
- Launch of redesigned Program Review/Program Health process
- Use of OIRA data dashboards to support annual program evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Academic Affairs undergoing a reorganization?
No. There is no reorganization of people or programs underway. The current efforts focus on evaluating structure, naming, and support systems to reduce burden, improve clarity, and plan for future needs.
Will any positions be eliminated?
No. New roles have been created by repurposing existing vacancies. There is no reduction in staffing.
What is the purpose of renaming Areas of Study?
Feedback indicates that “Areas of Study” is confusing for both students and employees. Renaming and aligning program groupings aims to reduce confusion, improve navigation, and strengthen pathway clarity.
What is the EPMO audit, and how will it affect faculty or staff?
The process audit is light-touch and focuses on identifying inefficiencies and friction points based on the functions across Academic Affairs. It is not a major restructuring effort and should not create additional workload for faculty or staff.
How will department chairs be affected by the DLIWG?
The DLIWG is designed to support chairs, not add responsibility. Changes include more release time, added operational support, clearer processes, and assistant chair structures.
Faculty input will be gathered through surveys, focus groups, chair leadership channels, and structured input processes (particularly around Areas of Study naming and Program Health). For questions or comments, or more information on how to get involved, please send an email to vcinstruction@austincc.edu.
Will these initiatives increase faculty workload?
No. These projects focus on improving efficiency and clarity. Faculty engagement will occur only where input is essential.
How does this work connect to ACC’s Theory of Change?
A clear, aligned instructional structure is foundational to “Start Strong” and “Belonging & Connection,” all essential components of the Theory of Change and our goal of 70% completion by 2030.
Where can I find ongoing updates?
This Initiatives page will be updated regularly as new information, timelines, and decisions become available.