In a historic decision, the Board of Regents announced Tuesday that Dr. Jamelle J. Conner has been chosen as the 15th president of Amarillo College (AC), marking her as the first female president in the institution's history.
Dr. Conner, currently serving as the vice president of student affairs at St. Petersburg College in Florida, was one of two finalists for the position. Her selection concludes a rigorous 17-month national search to find a successor to Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, who stepped down in September 2023 to become the chancellor of Austin Community College.
In her initial remarks, Dr. Conner expressed her enthusiasm and vision for the future of Amarillo College.
"I am so deeply honored to be selected as the next president of Amarillo College," she said. "The passion and dedication of the faculty and staff, coupled with the warmth of the Amarillo community, have given me a true heart for this College and the community. I am excited to work alongside the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, students, and the entire community to build on our strengths, create our shared vision, and transform the lives of those we serve."
The Board of Regents authorized college staff to begin negotiating a contract with Dr. Conner, with an agreement expected to be finalized in January. Denese Skinner, who has served as interim president since Lowery-Hart’s departure, will continue in that role until Dr. Conner officially assumes office.
Jay Barrett, chairman of the Board of Regents, voiced his excitement about Dr. Conner’s appointment.
"She expressed to us her plans to be part of the future and what we're doing here at AC, and that's exciting," Barrett said. "I can hardly wait to see her in place and see her expand the College's reach throughout our community."
A Distinguished Career in Leadership
Dr. Conner brings a wealth of experience in higher education and financial management to her new role at Amarillo College. She has been with St. Petersburg College since 2008, where she began as associate vice president of strategic execution and administrative systems support. The college serves over 40,000 students across multiple campuses.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Conner worked in the private sector as a director of financial planning and analysis, overseeing a $200 million annual budget. Her combined experience in academic leadership and financial management is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of Amarillo College.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Conner’s appointment comes during a transformative period for Amarillo College, an institution known for its innovative programs and commitment to student success. Her leadership is expected to build on the College’s strong foundation while forging new opportunities for growth and engagement within the Amarillo community.
The transition period will culminate with her official start as president in early 2024, following the Board’s approval of her contract.
