Good Afternoon Student Affairs Team,

I hope you enjoy a well-deserved Labor Day weekend. Thank you for your continued patience and readiness as we move forward in completing the Student Affairs realignment journey. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I’d like to share the next phase of our work. Throughout this process, I’ve had the opportunity of meeting many of you on campus, hearing directly from Executive Leadership, and reviewing feedback from roundtables, forms, and FAQs. All of this input is shaping how we move forward together.

I know that living in a space where old, new, and future structures overlap can feel overwhelming. It can also create uncertainty about who to lean on for decisions, budgets, and operational issues. We are mindful of this not only for you, but also for our partners and stakeholders across the college. That’s why these updates are designed to provide clarity, continuity, and confidence as we move into the next stage of the realignment.

This is a long message with many details. Please know I share it with a caring intention of transparency on important transitions. Change management and strategy remain at the center of our decisions, always keeping in mind both our students and you, because without you, we cannot make this a successful transformation.

While these changes are effective, in practice, starting September 1, you may not see an immediate update in systems such as Workday, but be assured that the work is underway. We are actively collaborating with partners across the college to ensure these changes are reflected in the appropriate systems in due time. 

Hiring

Job Descriptions and Rollout

In partnership with SWIM, we have finalized job descriptions for Regional and District Director roles, which are now under review with HR for posting, and slated to post September 19 in our internal WorkDay Job posting site. As shared before, positions will be released and posted in waves depending on college and team needs. This approach is intentional: it gives relief to our HR partners, allows us to prioritize hiring key leaders and teams, and ensures they receive training and support to lead with love and align with our agreed-upon competencies. 

Executive and Campus Deans

Student-facing functional areas will begin transitioning into the Student Affairs Organizational Structure under the appropriate AVC.

To support this transition, temporary assignments will be in place for some Executive and Campus Deans, particularly in advising, conduct, and student experience and outcomes. Beginning this fall, Campus Deans and their respective senior Administrative assistants will temporarily report under Dr. Meritza Tamez, Executive Dean of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

In addition, Student-Facing and Centralized Functional Areas will begin reporting as follows:

• Career Services and Transformative Interventions Programs to Executive Dean of Career & Life Design, Curtiss Stevens
• Student Life & Affinity Programs to Executive Dean of Student Life & Leadership, Dr. Janelle Green
• Transfer Services to Executive Dean of Transfer, Dr. Renee Esparza 
• Assessment & Testing Staff (currently under Campus Deans) to Executive Dean of Assessment & Admissions, Erica Ervin
• Student Impact & Outcomes will continue temporarily reporting to the AVC of Student Rights and Engagement, Dr. Martinez III, to assess permanent future placement.
• Enrollment Management Analytics to AVC of Strategy & Transformation, Ana Rummer.

These assignments honor the leadership and contributions of our current team members while preparing for future regional leadership hires. Importantly, there will be no office changes and no disruption to daily student support through Fall 2025, unless otherwise communicated. Your focus on serving students remains unchanged.

Administrative Assistants

Administrative Assistants will remain an important part of supporting their current areas. Looking ahead, we also want to explore opportunities for them to help enhance student services where needed. We will share more details soon and invite input through a separate discussion with a representative group of Administrative Assistants.

As the realignment continues, you are encouraged to apply for any eligible posted positions across the college.

Budget and Professional Development

Effective September 1, budget authority will rest with AVCs and Executive Deans. Current budget authorities will transition to the respective functional AVCs/EDs. A process is being put in place to ensure operations continue smoothly. We will need to work together as good stewards of resources. As this process is finalized, we will be in contact regarding next steps.

Budget management remains a top priority, with special attention to staffing, administrative support, and professional development opportunities.

Remote Work and Expectations

Clear guidelines for remote work and office hours are being developed by the College. In the meantime, current practices remain in place until further notice. Leaders will work with teams to set expectations, with the student experience at the center of our work, while also balancing flexibility with staff. We will provide more clarity once updated guidance is communicated for the college.

Student Affairs Suite Hours

As of September 1, all Student Affairs Suites—including Advising, Admissions & Records, Financial Aid, and Intake, will be open for in-person services Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (at a minimum) with the expectation that all Student Affairs offices across the college remain available to students during these hours as well to ensure consistent access and support. We are experiencing historic enrollment with 43,394 undergraduates registered, a 10% increase from last fall (official numbers confirmed on September 10). As we continue the Student Affairs Realignment, this step reinforces our commitment to serving students while preparing for transition. Service to students remains our top priority, and AVCs and EDs will work with teams to shape how this looks in practice. 

• Fridays, previously reserved for professional development (PD), will be reimagined to balance PD with student needs, with more details forthcoming. Please note, the Hybrid Work Schedule remains in place until further notice, and scheduled vacations are still supported with approval.

We know change brings questions. We are committed to open communication and will continue to share details during the September Roundtables (Sept. 3 and 4, 2025) and Open Houses (dates forthcoming) hosted by your SA Council. There may be nuances not yet called out, but please know we are thinking strategically about staff, departments, and the students you support.

Our goal remains: improved student and staff experience by , reducing duplicative efforts and bringing clarity to roles.

Thank you for your professionalism, care, and commitment to students and to one another as we take these next steps together.

Sincerely,

Shasta Buchanan, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs 

Austin Community College District

CC:

Student Affairs, Council

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