Austin Community College District (ACC) is taking another step to shape the future of higher education.

ACC launched on Oct. 13 the Alliance of Future Makers (AFM). This new initiative — formed under ACC’s Office for the Future — convenes presidents, faculty, staff and administrators to co-create strategies for the rapidly changing landscape in education.

“Higher education is preparing students for a future we can’t fully predict, using systems built for a past we can’t recreate,” ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart says. “The Alliance gives us space to wrestle with that paradox together. It’s where we challenge outdated models, embrace new opportunities, and design systems that truly serve today’s students. This work is bigger than ACC — it’s about reshaping higher education so our students, employers, and communities can thrive.”

The AFM functions as a community of practice, offering members the opportunity to learn foresight methods, experiment with new approaches, and apply future-focused strategies at their own institutions. In its inaugural year, AFM will feature two tracks: a Fellows Track for scholar-practitioners and a Leadership Track for college and university CEOs.

“Change is not mandatory, but neither is survival,” says Monique Reeves, ACC’s executive vice chancellor for the future. “We are preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, with systems designed for a world that no longer does. The Alliance of Future Makers is about closing that gap — creating a future of education that is flexible, human-centered and built to last.”

The launch signals a new chapter for ACC’s Office for the Future. By bringing together educators, the Alliance focuses on building stronger pathways for students for today’s careers and emerging opportunities.

“This is not a conversation for later. It’s a call for leaders, innovators and educators to step into the work now,” Reeves says. “By joining the Alliance, you become part of the community that will decide what higher education looks like in 2030 and beyond — and ensure that it continues to serve students, employers, and society in ways that matter.”

The inaugural cohort kicks off in mid-October. Over the following eight months, members will work to identify emerging trends, develop scenarios, and design solutions that anticipate the needs of students, institutions, and communities. The program will culminate in spring 2026 with a national Innovation Hub Summit, showcasing future-ready models for higher education and workforce development.

This article was originally posted here.