AC to host Community College Assoc. of Texas Trustees Annual Conference
Scores of high-level community college leaders from throughout the state will have the opportunity to explore Amarillo College, reigning recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, when AC hosts the Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) Annual Conference.
The three-day annual event begins at noon on Thursday, Sept. 12 and concludes at noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, and this year’s theme is Collaborative Connections: Community College Governance & K-12 Partnerships.
Amarillo College anticipates that anywhere from 150 to 180 community college regents, presidents, chancellors and staff will be in attendance.
"We are very excited to showcase the work we've done in our community to create a thriving workforce pipeline that begins in Amarillo ISD and continues at Amarillo College,” said Jay Barrett, who serves not only as chairman of AC’s Board of Regents, but is the principal of the AISD’s AmTech Career Academy.
Moreover, Barrett is CCATT’s outgoing chair. "Our CCATT members will see what an Aspen Award-winning College has done to enhance the lives of our students and help them be ready for the world of work in high-wage skilled jobs that are transformative and life-changing,” he said.
AC was co-recipient of the 2023 Aspen Prize, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. The prestigious accolade is awarded only biannually.
Among the CCATT Conference agenda highlights are a welcoming reception (and ballgame) Thursday evening (5:35 p.m.) at Hodgetown Stadium; breakout sessions and the annual business meeting from 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon Friday at Embassy Suites, followed by tours of AC and its Innovation Outpost, and AmTech; and lastly, breakout sessions from 9 a.m. until noon adjournment on Saturday.
Since 2007, CCATT, which works with the Texas Association of Community Colleges, has served as an independent, member-supported organization for approximately 400 community college trustees and regents. CCATT’s mission is to foster student success and ensure excellence in governance. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of trustees elected by their peers during the Annual Conference.