By Angelina Syribouth
Social Media Manager
“We are not just located in the community; we are the heart of it. Amarillo College will not stand still. Dreams are evolving, and Amarillo College must stay ahead of them.” –Dr. Jamelle Conner
Amarillo College students, faculty, staff and alumni, along with community members commemorated a historic moment with the formal investiture of President Dr. Jamelle Conner on Sept. 19 at the Oeschger Family Mall on the College’s Washington Street Campus.
Conner was chosen as AC’s 15th president after an 18-month search. She has more than 30 years of leadership experience, including nearly 20 years in senior roles at St. Petersburg College in Florida. She earned her bachelor of science degree in accounting and computer information systems from Florida Southern College, her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tampa and her Ph.D. in leadership from Barry University.
The ceremony not only served as a celebration of Conner’s appointment, but also a reaffirmation of the college’s mission to serve its community and a new era of leadership. “We are not just located in the community; we are the heart of it,” Conner said. “Amarillo College will not stand still. Dreams are evolving, and Amarillo College must stay ahead of them.
“As your President, I pledge to continue aligning our work with the needs of the people and employers we serve to keep building programs of excellence, access and impact and to make sure that Amarillo College remains a place where dreams are not just inspired but achieved,” Conner said. “Today commemorates more than a new presidency. It marks the beginning of our next chapter. A chapter defined by relevance, resilience and bold ambition.”
Conner also outlined her vision for AC’s future. “It looks like a new generation of learners equipped with the tools and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” she said. “It looks like deepened partnerships with employers, school districts and community organizations that make Amarillo stronger. It looks like students earning dual credit in high school with a clear pathway ultimating lead to successful transfer and or transition into high wage fulfilling careers. It looks like labs full of students learning how to build wind turbines, create medical devices or write code that will drive tomorrow’s technology alongside studios and classrooms where artists, writers and thinkers bring ideas to life and create work that connects us, moves us and helps shape the world we share. It looks like access and excellence, not as ideals, but as standards. Most of all, it looks like every student feeling seen, supported and set up to succeed because they know Amarillo College is their college,” Conner said.
Presidential Scholar Mallory Moore said Conner’s vision of belonging and support really resonated with her. “When I first arrived at Amarillo College, I lacked confidence in myself due to the fact that I never felt sure of what my career path would take,” Moore said. “I deeply desired to find out how to channel my passions in athletics and academics. But I needed some guidance along the way. The professors, coaches and staff here gave me exactly what I needed to gain direction and confidence in both my academic and personal journey. They didn’t see me as the uncertain student I often labeled myself as. They saw me as a capable leader in the making. Their encouragement and belief in my potential shaped my journey tremendously.”
According to the President of St. Petersburg College Dr. Tonjua Williams, that same spirit of service is what stands out to Conner’s colleagues as well. “I have learned a lot from Dr. Conner,” Williams said. “I’ve learned a lot about her resilience, her leadership, her innovation, her willingness to go pick the trash up if that’s what needs to be done. That’s so Jamelle. She is going to do what she expects you to do and won’t ask you to do one thing more than what she’s willing to do as well. So you did get a diamond, you got a jewel, you got a great president.”
For many in attendance, including retired AC faculty member Mike Haynes, the event represented moving forward. “The investiture was a nice beginning for Dr. Conner and a chance for everyone at AC to get acquainted with her and her vision. She pointed out that the event was not just for her but for the AC community to reset and prepare for another chapter in the college’s story.”
Following the ceremony, faculty, staff and students were invited to a campus celebration honoring Conner, featuring local food trucks and live music.
Leave a Reply