ACC and Trellis Foundation launch $3 million AI partnership to connect students with support services

March 12, 2026

Austin Community College announced a new partnership with the Trellis Foundation to create an AI-driven system intended to better connect students with support services. ACC said the $3 million effort will focus on using artificial intelligence to identify needs and guide students to the right campus resources.

The Trellis Foundation, based in Round Rock, will work with ACC to build technology that personalizes interventions for learners. Project leaders plan to use data-driven tools to tailor outreach, advising and other supports to individual students.

Officials framed the initiative as part of broader changes in higher education, where institutions are adopting AI tools to improve student outcomes. ACC emphasized that the system will not only address immediate retention and completion goals, but also help students develop skills for an economy that increasingly relies on AI.

Developers expect the platform to coordinate existing services, making it easier for students to find financial aid, tutoring, advising and career resources. By automating certain matching and referral processes, staff can focus on higher-touch work while students receive faster, more relevant connections.

ACC and Trellis will likely pilot the system before expanding it across colleges, officials said, with an eye toward measuring impacts on student persistence and job readiness. The partners intend to monitor outcomes and refine the AI models so interventions become more accurate over time.

Community leaders say the project could serve as a model for other community colleges navigating the shift to AI-enhanced operations. If it succeeds, the partnership could offer a template for using technology to boost access, support and workforce preparation in the region.

Funding for the project comes from the $3 million partnership commitment, which will cover development, implementation and evaluation phases. ACC noted the investment aligns with its broader strategy to modernize student services and respond to labor market changes driven by emerging technologies.

Stakeholders will continue to watch how the system balances automation with privacy and human oversight, key considerations as colleges adopt more sophisticated analytics. ACC and Trellis have said they will review data practices and program results as the initiative moves forward.