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In the December 16, 2024 edition of HappyHR:

Building on our momentum

If You Had a Magic Wand ...

Follow us on Instagram!

On the Road at Eastview

From the VC:

With Gratitude and Excitement for 2025!

As we wrap up a rather remarkable year, we in HR want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you. We care about ACC and our service to each of you so much, and we truly feel valued by you in return.


This year, we’ve continued to make strides in areas that directly impact our employees and the communities we serve. From the launch of the Compensation & Classification Study, to our Recruit to Hire Strike Team work, and the the success of this newsletter, your engagement has been key to our progress. Together, we’ve laid the foundation for a stronger, more connected community.


We’ve also seen how your resilience and teamwork have made a difference. Whether it was navigating new challenges or celebrating shared successes, your contributions have fueled ACC’s mission to support students and transform lives.


Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue building momentum. Be on the lookout for new opportunities to grow, connect, and thrive, including:

  • Social media engagement! Connect with us on Instagram @ACC_HappyHR 
  • The next phase of the Compensation & Classification Study to ensure fairness and growth for all roles.
  • Expanded trainings to include virtual mini-sessions for ongoing development and engagement on skills and knowledge you need. 
  • Continued focus on wellness, benefits, and resources to support you in and beyond your workplace.


For now, we encourage you to take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones. You’ve earned it!


From all of us, thank you for all you’ve done to make this year a success. We wish you a season filled with joy, peace, and moments of celebration. Here’s to an incredible year ahead!



Warmest regards,


Kelly T.

HR's on Instagram!


Stay connected with ACC Human Resources on Instagram!


Our newly-launched page can be found @ACC_HappyHR or by scanning the QR code on the right.


The first thing we want you to do is follow us 👤 ! And then 💜 the posts you like and leave a 💬. Most importantly, let us know what you want to see more of!


There'll be tips for using Workday, developing your career, becoming a leader, growing a team, and more. We'll bust myths, celebrate people and achievements, and have some fun.


Join us!

YOU ASKED!

When I applied to work at ACC, the posting listed minimum, mid, and maximum salaries for the job. How do I get to the maximum level?


At ACC, it's a misnomer to say we have a fixed “maximum salary” for most staff jobs. Instead, we focus on the midpoint, which helps us ensure fair and competitive pay:


  • External candidates: The midpoint is usually the highest salary we can offer, typically for candidates with 10+ years of related experience.
  • Internal candidates: If you’re already at ACC and take on a new role, your salary could go above the midpoint, depending on your prior related experience, including your time at ACC, and the pay range for the new position.


Each year, all employees—no matter their salary—receive the same pay increase approved by the Board of Trustees.


If you have questions about your pay or how salaries work at ACC, HR is here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

That question was posed during the AMA at Eastview this month. Make plans to attend future sessions. Here's the schedule.

WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION FOR HR? ASK IT HERE!

ON THE ROAD

If You Had a Magic Wand ...


On each of our monthly campus visits, we ask staff and faculty members: “If you had a magic wand and could change one thing about the employee experience at ACC, what would it be and why?”


Last week, we had the chance to ask Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart the same question during his visit to Eastview. His wish? That we could free people from any pain they carry —both personally and professionally.


He reminded us how important it is to acknowledge and address these experiences when we can, while also focusing on what’s within our control today: role modeling our values, keeping our cups full, and locking arms with each other to achieve our student-centric mission. His vision is clear: love our students and each other to success, now and into the future.


It’s a wish perfectly timed for this busy holiday season, as we prepare to head home for two weeks of rest and reflection. Thank you, Russell, for sharing your vision and for highlighting HR’s role in making ACC the best community college in the country.


From all of us at HappyHR, may your holidays be filled with peace, joy, and a renewed focus on what we can achieve together.

Musical Holiday Cheer from the HR Team


If you can't laugh at yourself, you might not be having enough fun. Take a look at this HR-inspired/Joy Team imagined/AI-executed original song we shared with Russell, documenting the joy we find in the work we do!

SING IT!

HR NEWS

Employee Assistance Program Offers Extra Help During the Holidays


As an employee of ACC, you have access to a wealth of information and resources through Deer Oaks, our Employee Assistance Program partner.


If the holidays mean extra stress for you, learn how to put the happy back in the holidays. If you find yourself in the need of ride, you can get reimbursed for taking a rideshare. And, as always, Deer Oaks has resources to get you through emotional, financial, and substance abuse challenges. Check out these special programs.


Visit deeroakseap.com to learn more.

Northridge Cuts the Ribbon on New Walking Path ... More to Come!


A brisk walk around campus can cure many ills. And now, students and employees are finding long-awaited improvements to ACC walking paths are now in place.


On a drizzly December day, walkers gathered to cut the ribbon on Northridge's improved wellness and walking path. There are new signs with mileage and step counts and sustainability features. And they explored the brand new interactive wellness walking path map.


Northridge was the first to celebrate the improvements, but two more campus paths are right behind. Cypress Creek Campus will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 29 and South Austin Campus will celebrate on February 5. Each event includes vendors promoting wellness and sustainability and activities with giveaways. Come spring, there'll be more campuses showing off their path makeovers.


The project is a collaborative effort between ACC’s Employee Wellness Program, the Sustainability Department, and the Facilities Information Systems Department to encourage employee wellness and promote sustainability.

CONGRATULATIONS!!


Congratulations to the December graduates of the Class of '24!


More than 3,900 summer and fall students earned degrees and certificates this year, representing a 5% increase over last year.


For those of us who don't regularly interact with students, commencement ceremonies are an inspirational reminder about why we do what we do. We are here to educate, mentor, and lend a hand to those who work hard and make sacrifices to better themselves and their families.


Congratulations to the graduates and thank you to the amazing staff, faculty, and administrators who instilled knowledge, hope, and confidence in them. We can't wait to see where their next adventures take them!

HR at the ACC Holiday Party!

DATES TO REMEMBER

December 19


Chancellor plays Mother Ginger in Ballet Austin's "The Nutcracker"

December 23 - January 1 |

Winter Break

January 7

Campus Conversation: Campus Purpose at Riverside

January 8

Campus Conversation: Campus Purpose at Highland

January 9

Campus Conversation: Campus Purpose at Round Rock

January 13

ACC Board Meeting

January 17

Chancellor's Employee Town Hall Meeting

For full descriptions and additional ACC Wellness webinars, click here.

Professional Development webinars are listed here.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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