AC Contingent  to Attend Community College Day Feb. 3 in Austin  

Amarillo College’s President Jamelle Conner along with faculty, staff and students will attend the Texas Association of Community College’s Community College Day Monday, Feb. 3 in Austin. 

The day-long event will include opportunities to directly engage with legislators who represent the Texas Panhandle; learn from higher education leaders and interact with state leadership while advocating for education at Amarillo College.

Faculty attending the event include Dr. Chris Hudson, professor of English, and Teresa Gaus-Bowling, assistant professor of biological sciences. Staff include Amber Hamilton, director of Student Life, and Jenna Welch, coordinator of Student Life. 

AC Board of Regents members Irene Hughes, Dr. David Woodburn, Annette Carlisle, and John Betancourt will also attend the Community College Day. 

"In attending Community College Day in Austin next week, I look forward to meeting with local legislators about Amarillo College and our priorities,” Conner said. “I’m thrilled the students who are involved with student government and elections are headed to Austin with us.” 

The Amarillo College students attending the Community College Day are Kevin Conde Garcia, an engineering major from Amarillo; Maiya Maldonado, an education major from Amarillo; Luther Estridge, a mass media major from Fritch; Danna Gonzalez, a business administration major from Amarillo; and Aden Thompson, a graphic design major from Amarillo. 

“Through this experience, I hope to gain a better understanding of the democratic process and how our representatives work to support students and higher education,” Maldonado said. “This trip offers an amazing opportunity to grow personally and as a student leader. I’m also excited to visit the state capitol and actively engage in advocacy on behalf of students from across the state.”