Amarillo College’s emergence in 2014 as a Leader College in the Achieving the Dream consortium of community colleges was more than an honor well-earned; it was a call to action of service through leadership.

Recent interest shown in AC initiatives by peer institutions from across the land is confirmation that AC has taken its charge to heart and is breaking new ground worthy of emulation.

Just this summer alone, AC has hosted fact-finding delegations from San Antonio College, McLennan Community College and, most recently, Lansing Community College, which is located in Michigan’s capital city.

Dr. Richard Prystowsky, Lansing’s senior vice president for academic affairs, led a contingent here the first week of August for a closer look at AC’s innovative Poverty Initiative.

“The sense of positivity we saw virtually everywhere at Amarillo College was striking,” Prystowsky said. “The people here are not only committed to student success but to addressing poverty, which is rarely even discussed in higher education.

“I believe the leadership at Lansing and AC are kindred spirits, and I will be surprised if going forward we don’t participate in some joint efforts.”

In addition to AC’s Poverty Initiative – a systemic combination of social-service outreach, a Food Pantry, a Clothing Closet and more – the Lansing delegation also took a look at AC’s proactive approach to developmental education and how the College is utilizing technology to support and achieve student success.

“We had great conversations,” AC President Russell Lowery-Hart said. “We learned a great deal from them, too, about pathways to success and methods of inclusion for all students.”

More such delegations are expected to come calling in the months ahead as AC’s many innovations directed at student success continue to turn heads nationwide.

August 5, 2016