Michelle Faires ’07 Reflects on Coming Together
This summer I had the opportunity to see the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil show as well as Sir Paul McCartney himself in concert. For all you alumni out there who took last fall’s theater class, you’ll recall Vivé’s “goal index cards.” Experiencing the music of the Beatles performed live was one of my top … Continue reading
Free Minds Partners with the Austin Can! Academy
If you come to visit a Free Minds class this year, you’ll find us set up on Rosewood Avenue at the Austin Can! Academy. Austin Can! has opened its doors to Free Minds, offering us a seminar space for our adult class as well as a classroom and outdoor space for the Camp Fire USA … Continue reading
Free Minds Welcomes Class of 2011
After months of recruitment and interviews, we are thrilled to welcome the class of 2011! This year Free Minds enrolled eighteen women and two men whose ages span four decades. The class includes city and state employees, a former ski instructor, students from Sweden, Belize, and Mexico, writers and artists, mothers and great-grandmothers. We are … Continue reading
Guest blogger Kellee Coleman ’08 reflects on Plato’s REPUBLIC
When I started Free Minds in 2007, my son UsZee was four months old and I already had my three-year-old daughter Journee. At the time, I was living in South Austin in a one-bedroom apartment at a Foundation Communities property and making $8,000 a year. I had a 1987 Chevy Beretta that was on its … Continue reading
Guest Blogger Martha Randall (FM ’08) Reflects on Camp Fire USA
I loved being a stay-at-home mom, but it was my dream to go to college. So when my only child, Matilda, entered kindergarten, I entered college through the Free Minds Project. Twice a week I went to class and my little Matilda joined the Camp Fire USA group in the room next door. For two … Continue reading
Free Minds featured on the ACC homepage!
FREE MINDS OPENS DOOR TO NEW IDEAS Program Offers Free College to Eligible Students After three years of proven success, the Free Minds Project is recruiting new students. A partnership between Austin Community College and the University of Texas at Austin, the Free Minds Project offers nontraditional students a chance to try college by enrolling … Continue reading
Guest Blogger Charmaine Nichols Reflects on the Alumni Classes
After graduating from Free Minds in the spring of 2009 I knew that continuing my education was not just a dream anymore; it was now my reality. While selecting my courses to attend ACC in the fall I received an e-mail addressed to Free Minds alumni (that would be me) offering advanced courses for alumni … Continue reading
Abbie Navarrete, Free Minds ’07, graduates from ACC
When Abbie Navarrete walked the stage at ACC on Thursday after completing her A.A. in philosophy, “it was the culmination of a dream,” she says. “As far as the degree process goes, that was done. I knew I’d pass my classes,” she laughs. “But my kids were at the graduation ceremony, and I could feel … Continue reading
A Good Reminder from Mike Rose
To feel intellectually cherished – which also means being intellectually challenged and pushed – enables people to be smart.
Recruitment
A few weeks ago Free Minds kicked off recruitment for the 2010-11 academic year with a table at the Housing Authority of Austin education expo. Attendance was low, but more recruitment events coming soon….
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