Get ready to be inspired on Thursday, September 11, 2025.  Student activations will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the Awards program at 5:45 p.m.  Light bites and refreshments will be served.

About the Alumni Achievement Awards

The Inaugural Alumni Achievement Awards were established in 2024 as part of the Austin Community College District's 50th Anniversary.  Now, as an annual celebration, ACC continues to highlight and honor ACC District’s most notable leaders who contribute to their professional and civic communities.

The Alumni Achievement Award is the highest honor that an alum can receive, and this year we are elevating the Alumni Achievement Awards even more.

At this 2nd annual Austin Community College District Alumni Achievement Award, we aim to inspire guests as they experience engaging student-led departmental activations that highlight ACC’s transformative educational journey from student to alum.

Meet the 2025 Awardees

Their powerful stories reflect Austin Community College District’s far-reaching impact on our community, showcasing how ACC alumni are inspiring Central Texas and beyond.

Dustin Bolander  |  CEO of Clear Guidance Partners, Beltex Insurance, and CyberDrain  |  is being honored with the Alumni Service Award for his ongoing support of ACC by inspiring community giving during Amplify Austin, as well as serving on several panels with ACC's Women in IT and Career Services, all while being a serial entrepreneur.

Jonathan Barona  |  Senior Director of Advising Services for Tides Center  |  is being honored with the Community Leader of the Year Award for his Nonprofit Management work in philanthropy, social impact, and social justice.

Michael Lofton  |  Founder and CEO of African American Youth Harvest Foundation and Harvest Trauma Recovery Center  |  is being honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding philanthropy in the community and advocacy for at-risk populations throughout the greater Austin area.

Michelle McCarty  |  Co-creator of ReInventing Independence and Executive Director of Solace and Sage  |  is being honored with the Social Impact and Innovation Award for her originative work as an Aging in Place Specialist and End-of-Life Doula.

The Tiarras  |  A celebrated, Austin native power trio  |  are each being honored with a Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award for their dedication to completing their ACC degrees and excelling in diverse career paths, all while continuing to pursue their creative dreams and gaining monumental musical success.
          Tori Baltierra  |  Music, Business, Performance, and Technology student.
          Sophia Baltierra  |  General Studies student.
          Tiffany Baltierra  |  Professional Nursing student.

The emcee for the evening will be Victor Diaz, a proud ACC Alum and celebrated journalist.

 

Location & Logistics

Join us at Austin Community College's Rio Grande Campus (1212 Rio Grande St., Building 1000, Austin, TX 78701). 
Greeters, student activations, and wayfinding sinage will guide you to event in Main Building 1000, Multipurpose Room 1103.


General parking is in the ACC Rio Grande Parking Garage (824 West 12th St., Austin, TX 78701), then you may walk up 12th St. and enter the Rio Grande Campus at the corner of 12th St. and West Ave.

Accessible parking are the covered spaces at the north side campus parking lot (709 W 13 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78701), then you may enter the Rio Grande Campus at the Rio Grande St. and 13th St. entance.

Please feel free to contact the Alumni Relations team at alumni@austincc.edu or 512 223 7109 with any questions.