The search for the next president of Amarillo College (AC) has entered its final phase, with two distinguished finalists set to present their visions for the institution during public forums on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. These forums, held in Ordway Hall on AC’s Washington Street Campus, are open to the public and designed to engage stakeholders from across the AC community.
Forum Details
Dr. Frank Sobey will present on Monday, Dec. 9, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Dr. Jamelle J. Conner will follow on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Each 75-minute session will feature opening remarks by the candidate, a question-and-answer segment with curated queries from AC employees, students, and community members, and closing remarks. Recordings of both forums will be made available for public viewing at actx.edu/president after both sessions conclude.
The Finalists
Dr. Frank Sobey
Dr. Sobey currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Amarillo College. A San Antonio native, Dr. Sobey began his AC journey in 2005 as an English instructor and steadily climbed the ranks, holding leadership roles such as Chair of English, Humanities, and Languages, and Dean of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Sobey earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Texas Tech University, with his Ed.D. specializing in higher education administration. His leadership has supported pivotal initiatives such as the Texas Pathways program and the Rural Nursing Education Consortium, which have cemented AC’s reputation for innovation in student success.
Dr. Jamelle J. Conner
Dr. Conner has served as Vice President of Student Affairs at St. Petersburg College in Florida since 2018. With a 15-year career at the institution, she has held roles including Associate Vice President of Strategic Execution and Provost of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus.
Dr. Conner earned her MBA from the University of Tampa and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Education from Barry University, specializing in higher education administration. Her experience spans student-focused initiatives and strategic leadership at a college serving nearly 40,000 students annually.
Background and Next Steps
The selection process follows the departure of former AC President Russell Lowery-Hart, who became Chancellor of Austin Community College earlier this year. In April, Amarillo College was co-recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, underscoring its national prominence. The presidential search was initiated in summer 2023, culminating in the Board of Regents unanimously selecting Dr. Sobey and Dr. Conner as finalists on Oct. 22, based on recommendations from the presidential search advisory committee.
The final decision is anticipated to follow discussions after the public forums. The Board of Regents will vote on the appointment in a public meeting, as required by Texas law. Until the new president is installed, Vice President of Student Affairs Denese Skinner will continue serving as interim president.
Community Involvement
Amarillo College invites its diverse community to participate in this important moment. “These forums offer an invaluable opportunity to meet the candidates and hear their visions for the college’s future,” said a college spokesperson. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit questions, attend the forums, or watch the recordings to stay informed.
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