December 18, 2024

Amarillo College selects new president

AMARILLO, Texas (KEYU) -The Amarillo College Board of Regents selected the new president of Amarillo College on Tuesday.

Dr. Jamelle J. Conner, vice president of student affairs at St. Petersburg College in Florida, was elected by the board as the 15th president of Amarillo College.

Conner is the first female president in the history of Amarillo College.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected as the next president of Amarillo College. The passion and dedication of the faculty and staff, along with the warmth of the Amarillo community, have given me a true heart for this university and the community,” Conner said. “I am excited to work together with the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, students and the entire community to leverage our strengths, create our shared vision and transform the lives of those we serve.”

The 17-month search began to replace Russell Lowery-Hart, who resigned from Amarillo College in September 2023 to become chancellor of Austin Community College.

Contract negotiations with Conner are currently underway and a deal is expected to be approved in January.

Denese Skinner will continue to serve as interim president until Conner assumes the role.

Prior to her experience in higher education, Conner worked as a director of financial planning and analysis, responsible for a $200 million annual budget.