Progress

We continue to maximize opportunities for the RRC. The Austin MSA is projected to reach 3M by 2030 and 4.3M by 2045. We see a great opportunity for the RRC to host much of TXST’s future growth. It can offer affordable, high-quality, and accessible higher education to many more future students. It can support cutting-edge research that aligns with the world-class technology and healthcare corporate sectors in north Austin and beyond. Our goal is to make the RRC the third largest college campus in the Austin MSA. To do this, we are pursuing strategies to increase enrollment to 10,000 students on the RRC. For example, in the last year or so, we:   
    ◦    Created a new cabinet-level position for the RRC and hired Julie Lessiter to serve as our inaugural Vice President for the Round Rock Campus.  
    ◦    Restructured the RRC’s organizational framework and will soon initiate a search for a new Associate Vice Provost for Academic Success, who will be primarily responsible for overseeing academic operations at the RRC.   
    ◦    Appointed additional leadership and staff exclusively dedicated to serve the RRC.   
    ◦    Recruited a new Dean to steer the College of Health Professions.   
    ◦    Formed the Commission on the Round Rock Run to 10K to formulate growth strategies.  
    ◦    Added 10 new degree programs, bringing the number of programs at the RRC to 26.   
    ◦    Overhauled our RRC website and launched an aggressive marketing campaign.  
    ◦    Introduced “Bats to Cats,” making it easier to transfer from ACC to TXST. With an ACC campus adjacent to our RRC, we expect a substantial rise in transfer students from ACC.   
 
These enhancements, along with our push to develop external relationships and partnerships have already begun yielding promising results. As of July 22, 2,087 students had already enrolled for Fall 2024 courses at RRC, which is 13.8% higher than the same time last year.  
 
We continue to pursue major projects that, when completed, will lead to significant growth for the RRC. For example:  
    ◦    We entered into a ground lease agreement with Johnson Healthcare (pending the outcome of an RFP to place a Veterans Affairs clinic in the Round Rock area). The winner of the contract is expected to be announced by the end of 2024.  
    ◦    We have worked with Concept Companies to design, develop, and construct the life sciences incubator at RRC. This summer, Concept Companies will refresh their market data and engage in negotiations with TXST. Awaiting Board of Regents approval to move forward. 
    ◦    Our plans for Esperanza Hall are progressing, with groundbreaking set for December 4, 2024, and an anticipated completion of January 2026.  
 

In Spring 2022, TXST launched a nation-wide search for a Vice President for the Round Rock Campus and revised the organizational structure. Dr. Julie Lessiter became the new vice president in August 2023.