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In this edition of HappyHR:
- Crack open the new Employee Handbook for Staff.
- Start your required annual Compliance Training.
- Celebrate colleagues reaching new milestones in their ACC service.
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An Updated Handbook for Today’s Riverbats
Celebrating a resource that reflects the Theory of Change
Riverbats,
At ACC, we develop, grow, and change. Our resources must change with us. That’s why we’re excited to share the newly updated Employee Handbook for Staff, a comprehensive refresh of one of the college’s most important employee resources.
In fact, the Employee Handbook for Staff is so important that you’ll need to acknowledge your receipt of it as you complete this year’s required Compliance Training.
| | | You’ll need to acknowledge your receipt of the updated Employee Handbook for Staff as you complete this year’s required Compliance Training. | |
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Much more than a policy document, the handbook serves as a guide to the ACC employee experience. It brings together information about benefits, professional expectations, and institutional culture in an accessible resource that reflects ACC today, helping employees thrive within our community.
One of the most significant changes is the handbook’s overall focus and structure. While previous editions emphasized operational and administrative procedures, the new handbook begins with ACC’s mission, values, and vision for student success. It reflects the College’s commitment to Courage, Compassion, Joy, and belonging, and connects the work of every employee to ACC’s shared purpose.
Just as importantly, the revision streamlines content that no longer reflects how employees access information. Detailed discussions of outdated systems have largely been removed or condensed. In their place, the handbook directs employees to current resources and focuses on information that remains meaningful now.
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| A project of this scale does not happen overnight. It represents the efforts of employees across the college who updated guidance, incorporated new programs and resources, and ultimately worked to create a handbook that better serves today’s Riverbats. Together they have produced a resource that is more aligned with ACC’s values and future. | |
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We invite you to explore the updated handbook and become familiar with its new resources and information. Altogether, it reflects not only where ACC has been, but where we are headed — as well as the people who will help us get there.
In partnership, joyfully,
Kelly Torrico
Vice Chancellor of Human Resources
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¡Lea este artículo de la vicerrectora en español aquí!
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Professional Development Kicks Off Annual Compliance Training Campaign
ACC’s Annual Compliance Training campaign kicked off on Sunday, November 1, and will continue through February 28, 2027. An overview of the program is available here. Training has been automatically assigned in Workday Learning.
All employees must complete Compliance Training prior to the February 28 deadline, including staff, faculty, adjuncts, work study students, interns, and hourly employees.
The 2027 ACC Compliance Program includes the following two bundles of courses:
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IT Bundle
- Cybersecurity Awareness
- Artificial Intelligence
HR Bundle
- Active Shooter
- Building Supportive Communities: Title IX and Clery Act
- Accommodating People with Disabilities
- RespectEdu for Supervisors and Non-Supervisors: Preventing Harassment & Discrimination
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Managers: access your team’s learning progress and track compliance with Workday Reports. The following support resources are available to you: | |
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ACC’s annual compliance program helps maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning and working environment for our students and employees. Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our college community strong and accountable.
Learn more about this training campaign here.
Questions? Submit an HR Support Ticket through the TDX Service Portal.
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ACC Honors the Dedication of Riverbats with Service Awards Luncheon
ACC recently honored employees celebrating significant service milestones here. Faculty and staff marking 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service in 2026 were recognized at a special ceremony hosted with ACC Executive Vice Chancellor Neil W. Vickers on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Employees reaching their next five-year service anniversary were invited to attend a celebratory luncheon at the Holiday Inn Midtown. This year’s gathering recognized two Riverbats who achieved 50 years of service, along with hundreds of colleagues commemorating their own five-year milestones of commitment to the College.
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| More than 300 of ACC’s 731 Service Award recipients for 2026 participated in Friday’s luncheon. The College was honored to recognize and thank them for their longstanding contributions to the ACC community. | |
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New Employee Handbook for Staff
The updated handbook serves as a guide to the ACC employee experience by compiling information about benefits, professional expectations, and institutional culture. By reflecting ACC today, it helps employees thrive within our community.
Open the new handbook directly here.
Visit HR’s page dedicated to employee handbooks here.
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Workday Learning
Workday Learning is a primary platform for professional development at ACC.
See all your current assignments — including the required Compliance Training bundles — here.
Learn more on the Professional Development team’s landing page for Mandatory Compliance Training.
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Wellness Webinars
HR’s Employee Wellness Program continues to offer a series of free wellness webinars. Upcoming topics include sleep health, gratitude, mindfulness, self-care . . . and the list continues.
View the complete Wellness Webinar schedule and registration information here.
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Wellness Program Offerings
Employee Wellness Program exercise classes started on September 1. The schedule — with registration links — is available here.
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Registration for the final Buena Vida challenge of 2026 is now open. Called “Stressless,” this challenge is designed to help you build daily habits to manage stress and support your well-being. It is available to employees with HealthSelect coverage. See details below:
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Registration: November 4 – 25
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Challenge: November 18 – December 15
Visit the Buena Vida portal for details!
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Say Bravo!
The current nomination window for Employee Bravo Awards is open through November 15, 2026. This program recognizes employees whose actions reflect exemplary customer service. Think back on recent partnerships at work. Does anyone you know deserve recognition?
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$20K Homebuyer Incentive for Teachers & Staff
Industry SOMA is a newly built community of 23 affordable townhomes in South Austin. It is brought to you by Industry ATX, an Austin-based company focused on the need for affordable living within walkable and transit-fit neighborhoods.
SOMA homes start at $270,000 for households earning up to 80% of the Austin area’s median family income. For many ACC employees and students, that puts homeownership within reach.
| | | | Industry ATX also offers a $20,000 homebuyer incentive for educators, designed to help those who might otherwise be priced out of Austin. Learn more at the links above. | |
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November Savings: ACC Advantage Discount Program
The holiday season is officially underway, and it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the exclusive savings available through the ACC Advantage Discount Program.
🛍️ Black Friday & Holiday Shopping
🦃 Thanksgiving & Seasonal Celebrations
✈️ Travel & Getaways
🎸 Entertainment & Family Fun
| | | | Thursday, November 5 | AFA Restoration Project Virtual Listening Session | | Friday, November 6 | Virtual Employee Town Hall | | Friday, November 6 | Seedling Community Information Session | | Saturday, November 7 | Elgin Fall Festival | | Saturday, November 14 | Community Health, Motivation, and Empowerment Conference | | Saturday, November 14 | AAPI Cultural Center Diwali Celebration | | Saturday, December 5 | ACC Holiday Party | | Sunday, February 28, 2027 | Annual Compliance Training campaign closes | | | |
Thanks to everyone who participated in our recent Total Rewards events!
Our Wellness Program facilitated a series of 11 flu shot clinics. All told, 388 employees attended these events, where our medical partners administered a grand total of 646 shots.
National Save for Retirement Week was similarly successful at ACC. ERS and TRS partnered with us to host a presentation and resource fair on October 21, 2026. Over 280 of you attended in some capacity to give productive thought to your benefits, savings, and retirement.
HR applauds your active participation in your physical and financial well-being!
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| View past HappyHR newsletters on our website here! | | | | |
