Houston City College Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Houston Community College has 10 executives leading key functions including technology, finance, operations, foundation management, and academic leadership.

Committed to accessible education, [[Houston Community College]] empowers students through diverse academic programs and workforce training initiatives across the Texas region to foster long-term community growth.

Leadership Roles at Houston City College

  • Chief Financial Officer - Kevin Lovinggood
  • Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer - Catherine Guerrero
  • President, HCC Foundation - Karen Schmidt
  • President - Lutricia Harrison
  • President, Southwest College - Fena Garza
  • President-College Office Professionals Association - Laura Renee
  • History Instructor and Faculty Senate President - David White
  • President - John Hart
  • Faculty Senate President - Desmond Lewis
  • Chief Technology Officer - Susan Hopper
  • Kevin Lovinggood - Chief Financial Officer

    Kevin Lovinggood, the Chief Financial Officer at Houston Community College, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the entire educational system. Lovinggood oversees long-term financial forecasting and resource allocation to ensure the sustainability of academic programs. By implementing rigorous auditing processes, the Chief Financial Officer maintains transparency and compliance with state and federal regulations. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board to optimize revenue streams and control operational expenditures across all campuses. Kevin Lovinggood directs the financial strategy to support infrastructure development and faculty recruitment efforts. Through careful management of endowment funds and grant portfolios, the Chief Financial Officer secures the capital required for institutional expansion. Ultimately, Lovinggood stabilizes the financial foundation of the organization, allowing the college to focus on delivering high-quality education to the diverse student population throughout the Texas region.

    Catherine Guerrero - Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

    Catherine Guerrero, the Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at Houston Community College, executes the daily operational strategy across all regional campuses. Guerrero manages administrative functions and facility operations to ensure a productive environment for students and faculty. By streamlining internal processes, the Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer improves institutional efficiency and service delivery. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-departmental initiatives to align campus activities with the broader mission of the college system. Catherine Guerrero directs the implementation of policies that govern campus safety, maintenance, and student support services. Through the oversight of large-scale operational projects, the Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer facilitates growth and resource optimization. Ultimately, Guerrero maintains the operational integrity of the institution, ensuring that every campus functions effectively to meet the evolving needs of the community and the workforce.

    Karen Schmidt - President, HCC Foundation

    Karen Schmidt, the President, HCC Foundation at Houston Community College, leads philanthropic efforts to secure funding for student scholarships and academic programs. Schmidt architects fundraising campaigns and donor relations strategies to expand the financial support available to the student body. By cultivating partnerships with local businesses and community leaders, the President, HCC Foundation increases the impact of charitable contributions. This leadership role involves managing the foundation's investment portfolio to ensure consistent growth and long-term sustainability. Karen Schmidt directs the allocation of resources to support innovative educational initiatives and campus improvements. Through strategic outreach, the President, HCC Foundation enhances the visibility of the college within the regional philanthropic sector. Ultimately, Schmidt drives the mission of the foundation by connecting community generosity with the educational aspirations of students, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent academic success.

    Lutricia Harrison - President

    Lutricia Harrison, the President at Houston Community College, provides executive leadership for academic excellence and institutional growth. Harrison directs the development of curriculum standards and faculty initiatives to ensure high-quality learning outcomes. By fostering a culture of student-centered education, the President promotes retention and graduation rates across the system. This leadership role involves engaging with community stakeholders to align academic offerings with regional workforce demands. Lutricia Harrison oversees the implementation of strategic plans that guide the college toward long-term success and innovation. Through collaboration with other executive leaders, the President ensures that academic programs remain relevant and accessible. Ultimately, Harrison drives the vision of the institution, maintaining a focus on student achievement and community development while navigating the complexities of the modern higher education environment in Texas.

    Fena Garza - President, Southwest College

    Fena Garza, the President, Southwest College at Houston Community College, manages the specific academic and operational needs of the Southwest campus. Garza directs campus-level initiatives to improve student performance and faculty satisfaction. By overseeing local facility management and student services, the President, Southwest College ensures a supportive learning environment. This leadership role involves tailoring academic programs to meet the unique demographic and economic requirements of the surrounding community. Fena Garza coordinates with the central administration to implement system-wide policies while maintaining the autonomy of the Southwest campus. Through active engagement with local industry partners, the President, Southwest College facilitates internship and career placement opportunities for students. Ultimately, Garza drives the success of the Southwest campus by fostering a culture of academic rigor and community involvement, ensuring that the college remains a vital resource for local residents.

    Laura Renee - President-College Office Professionals Association

    Laura Renee, the President-College Office Professionals Association at Houston Community College, represents the interests of administrative staff and office professionals within the institution. Renee directs advocacy efforts to improve workplace conditions and professional development opportunities for members. By facilitating communication between staff and executive leadership, the President-College Office Professionals Association ensures that administrative perspectives inform institutional policy. This leadership role involves organizing training workshops and networking events to enhance the skills of the professional staff. Laura Renee oversees the association's initiatives to promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment across all campuses. Through consistent engagement with the workforce, the President-College Office Professionals Association supports the operational efficiency of the college. Ultimately, Renee drives the professional growth of the staff, ensuring that the administrative backbone of the institution remains motivated, skilled, and aligned with the broader goals of the college system.

    David White - History Instructor and Faculty Senate President

    David White, the History Instructor and Faculty Senate President at Houston Community College, serves as the primary voice for the faculty body in institutional governance. White directs the Faculty Senate to address academic concerns, curriculum development, and faculty welfare. By representing the teaching staff in discussions with the administration, the History Instructor and Faculty Senate President ensures that academic integrity remains a top priority. This leadership role involves facilitating dialogue between faculty members and the Board to shape institutional policies. David White oversees the committee work that reviews academic standards and teaching methodologies. Through active participation in governance, the History Instructor and Faculty Senate President promotes a collaborative environment that values faculty expertise. Ultimately, White drives the academic mission of the college by ensuring that the faculty perspective is integrated into all major strategic decisions, fostering a culture of shared governance and excellence.

    John Hart - President

    John Hart, the President at Houston Community College, leads the strategic direction and administrative oversight of the college system. Hart directs the implementation of institutional goals to enhance student success and workforce readiness. By managing relationships with state officials and community leaders, the President secures the necessary support for college initiatives. This leadership role involves overseeing the budget and resource allocation to ensure that all departments have the tools required for effective operation. John Hart coordinates with the Board to establish long-term policies that guide the growth of the institution. Through the promotion of academic innovation, the President ensures that the college remains a leader in community education. Ultimately, Hart drives the overall mission of the organization, maintaining a focus on providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of the Texas population.

    Desmond Lewis - Faculty Senate President

    Desmond Lewis, the Faculty Senate President at Houston Community College, leads the representative body for the teaching staff across the college system. Lewis directs the senate's efforts to advocate for faculty rights, improved teaching resources, and academic freedom. By facilitating regular meetings and forums, the Faculty Senate President ensures that faculty concerns are addressed by the administration. This leadership role involves collaborating with other academic leaders to refine curriculum standards and evaluation processes. Desmond Lewis oversees the development of policies that support faculty professional development and research initiatives. Through consistent communication with the teaching staff, the Faculty Senate President maintains a unified voice in institutional governance. Ultimately, Lewis drives the academic quality of the college by ensuring that the faculty remains empowered and engaged in the decision-making process, directly impacting the quality of education provided to the student body.

    Susan Hopper - Chief Technology Officer

    Susan Hopper, the Chief Technology Officer at Houston Community College, directs the digital infrastructure supporting thousands of students across the Texas system. Hopper architects scalable cloud solutions and cybersecurity frameworks to protect institutional data while enhancing the virtual learning environment. By modernizing campus networks, the Chief Technology Officer ensures seamless connectivity for faculty and staff. This leadership role involves integrating advanced educational software to streamline administrative workflows and improve student engagement metrics. Susan Hopper maintains alignment with academic goals by prioritizing technology investments that directly support classroom innovation. Through the implementation of robust data analytics, the Chief Technology Officer provides actionable insights for institutional decision-making. Ultimately, Hopper drives the digital transformation necessary to maintain a competitive edge in the higher education landscape, ensuring that all technological resources remain reliable, secure, and accessible for the entire campus community.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Houston City College Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Houston City College?
    Houston City College is led by Kevin Lovinggood (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Catherine Guerrero (Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer) and Karen Schmidt (President, HCC Foundation).
    Who is part of Houston City College’s executive team?
    The executive team of Houston City College includes leaders such as Kevin Lovinggood (Chief Financial Officer), Catherine Guerrero (Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer), Karen Schmidt (President, HCC Foundation) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Houston City College have?
    Houston City College has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Houston City College’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Houston City College includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, President, HCC Foundation, President, President, Southwest College.