Amarillo College Executive and Leadership Team

Christy Hays, the General Manager & Chief Executive Officer at Amarillo College, directs all institutional strategy and administrative functions. Overseeing the public community college mission, the General Manager & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between academic offerings and regional workforce requirements. This leadership role involves managing complex budgetary cycles and coordinating with the board to maintain high educational standards. By optimizing resource allocation, Christy Hays directly impacts the long-term viability of the institution. The General Manager & Chief Executive Officer drives initiatives that expand access to first- and second-year university courses for diverse student populations. Through consistent oversight of campus operations, the General Manager & Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health of the college. Ultimately, Hays maintains the institutional focus on student achievement and community engagement while navigating the evolving landscape of higher education in Texas.

Tracy Dougherty, the Chief Operating Officer at Amarillo College, manages the daily administrative and logistical functions of the campus. Overseeing facility maintenance and operational efficiency, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the physical environment supports academic success. This leadership role involves streamlining internal processes to reduce overhead while maximizing the utility of campus resources. By implementing data-driven management strategies, Tracy Dougherty directly improves the quality of student services. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates with department heads to align operational output with the broader mission of providing accessible university courses. Through rigorous assessment of campus infrastructure, the Chief Operating Officer maintains safety and compliance standards across all facilities. Ultimately, Dougherty supports the institutional growth of the college by fostering a stable and productive environment for faculty and students throughout the regional market.

Russell Lowery-Hart, the President at Amarillo College, defines the overarching vision and academic direction of the institution. Overseeing faculty development and curriculum expansion, the President ensures that the college remains a leader in providing first- and second-year university courses. This leadership role involves engaging with community stakeholders and regional partners to align educational outcomes with local economic needs. By championing student-centered policies, Russell Lowery-Hart directly influences the success rates of the student population. The President collaborates with the board to establish long-term goals that enhance the reputation of the college. Through the promotion of academic excellence, the President fosters an environment conducive to intellectual growth and professional preparation. Ultimately, Lowery-Hart guides the institution through strategic planning cycles, ensuring that the college continues to serve as a vital educational resource for the region.

Denese Skinner, the Interim President at Amarillo College, maintains institutional continuity and stability during the leadership transition. Overseeing daily academic operations and administrative oversight, the Interim President ensures that the college continues to deliver high-quality university courses without disruption. This leadership role involves managing relationships with faculty and staff to uphold the core mission of the institution. By providing steady guidance, Denese Skinner directly supports the ongoing success of students and the integrity of academic programs. The Interim President coordinates with executive leadership to execute existing strategic plans while preparing the college for future growth. Through proactive communication and consistent policy enforcement, the Interim President preserves the standard of excellence expected by the community. Ultimately, Skinner facilitates a seamless operational environment, ensuring that the college remains focused on its primary objective of providing accessible higher education.

Jamelle Conner, the President at Amarillo College, drives the strategic implementation of academic programs and institutional growth. Overseeing the expansion of university transfer pathways, the President ensures that students receive a robust foundation for their future studies. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to adapt the curriculum to the needs of the modern workforce. By fostering partnerships with four-year institutions, Jamelle Conner directly enhances the value of the education provided by the college. The President manages the allocation of academic resources to support innovative teaching methods and student support services. Through the cultivation of a collaborative campus culture, the President empowers faculty to achieve excellence in the classroom. Ultimately, Jamelle Conner leads the institution toward greater regional impact, ensuring that the college remains a cornerstone of higher education and professional development for the community.

Shane Hepler, the Chief Information Officer at Amarillo College, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for modern academic delivery. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols and network reliability, the Chief Information Officer ensures that students and faculty maintain seamless access to essential learning platforms. This leadership role involves integrating advanced educational technology to enhance the classroom experience. By modernizing data systems, Shane Hepler directly supports the institutional goal of providing high-quality university courses. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with academic leadership to implement software solutions that track student progress and improve retention rates. Through the management of complex IT projects, the Chief Information Officer secures the integrity of institutional data across the entire campus network. Ultimately, Hepler drives the digital transformation of the college, ensuring that technological capabilities remain aligned with the evolving needs of the student body.

Ellen Patterson, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer of ITS at Amarillo College, coordinates administrative workflows within the information technology department. Overseeing scheduling and communication channels, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer of ITS ensures that technical leadership remains focused on strategic initiatives. This leadership role involves managing documentation for critical IT infrastructure projects and facilitating collaboration between technical teams. By maintaining organized records and efficient office operations, Ellen Patterson directly supports the successful deployment of campus-wide digital tools. The Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer of ITS manages the flow of information to the Chief Information Officer, ensuring timely decision-making regarding network security and software updates. Through meticulous attention to detail, the Executive Secretary To Chief Information Officer of ITS optimizes the productivity of the entire IT division. Ultimately, Patterson enables the department to deliver robust technological support for the college mission.