The Story of the RRHEC

The Round Rock Higher Education Center is the beginning of a vision created by the City of Round Rock, the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, Round Rock ISD, other employers, Austin Community College and Texas State University, formerly Southwest Texas State University, of making quality higher education and workforce training locally accessible to the residents of Round Rock and the surrounding vicinities. In1996, under the direction of Texas State President, Dr. Jerome Supple and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Robert Gratz, the University began offering full degree-granting graduate programs in Education and Business Administration at Westwood High School, one of RRISD’s campuses. The program was designated as a Multi-Institution Teaching Center (MITC) by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board because it authorized the area community colleges to offer the first two years of a college education and the senior colleges and universities to offer baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. Several institutions were involved in the partnership in the early days, but by 2000, only Texas State University, Austin Community College, and Temple College at Taylor remained and to this date form this MITC partnership.

Initially, all classes were initially offered at night and classes met in the high school. Enrollment grew rapidly and by 2005, the RRHEC was offering classes in 15 temporary buildings in a lot adjacent to Westwood High School and had reached capacity at that location. Through the generosity of the Avery family of Round Rock, Texas State received 101 acres in northeast Round Rock and began planning the future of a new full service university at its permanent and current location on University Boulevard, formerly Chandler Road.

On July 18, 2003, Governor Perry signed legislation for the financing and construction of the Round Rock Higher Education Center. Construction began in May 2004 The Avery Building, opened on August 26, 2005 with Texas State University offering baccalaureate and graduate programs and ACC offering the general core and several majors.

The Avery Building is the first building of the RRHEC and sits on 25 acres of the 101 acre campus. The 125,000 square foot multi-purpose building includes 40 classrooms, 8 computer labs, a library, faculty offices, a counseling clinic, ACC Learning and Testing Center, a student lounge and several conference rooms. As academic buildings are constructed on this property The Avery Building has been designated to remain the main administration building for this campus.

The Texas Legislature has approved funding for a second building at Texas State’s Round Rock Center. It will be house the St. David’s School of Nursing and will open for enrollment for the Fall 2010 semester. The last two years of a BS in Nursing will be offered for students who already have the core courses.

Mission Statement

The Round Rock Higher Education Center staff provides quality educational delivery systems, student support services, and training opportunities to students in North Austin and Williamson County. To accomplish these goals, the RRHEC expands on the quality instruction of the faculty by providing:

• Instructional facilities equipped with the latest technology,
• Efficient and effective student support services,
• Career training responsive to community needs, and
• Courteous, top-quality customer service