The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees accepted a $200,000 gift from Samsung Austin Semiconductor to help expand the semiconductor training program. The gift was accepted during the board’s regular meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024.
“Samsung Austin Semiconductor has been a thriving part of Central Texas since we opened our first fab at our Austin campus back in 1996. Throughout our journey, we have had numerous organizations assist us in our success, and we appreciate Austin Community College for being one of those organizations,” said Jon Taylor, Samsung Austin Semiconductor Corporate vice president of Fab Engineering and Public Affairs. “Thank you (ACC) for your support of our employees… and your positive impact on the semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas.”
According to Samsung, ACC is the company’s leading training provider. The $200,000 gift will be invested entirely to support ACC’s Semiconductor Technician Advanced Rapid Start program known as STARS.
“We developed the STARS program in collaboration with Samsung Austin Semiconductor and four other companies in the region to create an accelerated route toward a technician role,” said Dr. Laura Marmolejo, ACC dean of Advanced Manufacturing. “This gift will make a significant impact on our ability to grow STARS and help meet the growing workforce demands in our community.”
Due to the availability of space and equipment, ACC is currently only able to offer the STARS program at the Highland Campus, but the donation will now allow ACC to invest in in an expansion of the program to the Round Rock Campus.
Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in the year ahead.
