We are proud to share the story of an inspiring professional whose journey reminds us what is truly possible. Meet Figen Ozmen, a global technology leader from Istanbul, Türkiye. 

With more than 25 years of experience in technology and leadership, Figen has led major software projects, managed large international teams, and played a key role in improving the efficiency of many companies by guiding them, solving complex issues, and delivering meaningful results.

Her achievements were recognized through multiple awards and leadership honors, but what truly sets her apart is her global influence. That impact is reflected in her role as a Global Ambassador for the WomenTech Network. In this role, she actively supports and empowers women in technology and helps them create opportunities to establish their own businesses.

After building a successful international career, she moved to Austin and continued to pursue her goals. Now, she runs her own consulting company and works with organizations that manage high-technology projects. As she began this new chapter in the United States, she recognized the importance of understanding the American workplace culture and professional network expectations, and her path crossed with the Internationally Trained Professionals Program at ACC. Figen believed that strong professional skills could only be possible with strong communication skills, and with this mindset, she enrolled in advanced-level English language courses in the ESOL program. Figen describes her ESOL experience as both practical and empowering. She shared that one of the most valuable gains from her ESOL classes was the confidence to speak more naturally. Especially the Advanced American Pronunciation course, which she is taking this semester, has helped  her develop a deeper understanding of English sounds in authentic communication.

Figen encourages current and future ESOL students with a simple yet powerful message: do your homework, listen carefully, and never be shy about speaking up. While she is not pursuing a college degree at Austin Community College, she chose ESOL Program for personal enrichment and to strengthen her communication skills for professional purposes. As happy as she is that her journey led her to the ESOL program, we are just as thrilled to have her part of our community.