Meet the President

Dr. Jamelle J. Conner, Ph.D.

Dr. Conner became the 15th president of Amarillo College in January 2025. As the College's first female president, she has focused on expanding educational access, strengthening workforce partnerships and engaging the community in shaping Amarillo College's future while building on its nearly century-long legacy of student success and community impact.

Under Conner's leadership, Amarillo College launched the Badger Bound Scholarship, an innovative program that enables eligible Texas Panhandle students to earn up to 45 credit hours tuition-free while still in high school, creating new pathways to higher education and workforce success. She has also led a community-driven strategic planning process that brings together students, employees, alumni, business leaders and community partners to chart the College's direction for the years ahead.

Conner has emphasized building strong partnerships with K-12 schools, employers, nonprofit organizations and regional leaders to meet the evolving educational and workforce needs of the Texas Panhandle. Her leadership emphasizes innovation, collaboration and student success while building on Amarillo College's longstanding commitment to transforming lives and strengthening communities.

Before joining Amarillo College, Conner served as vice president of student affairs at St. Petersburg College in Florida, a public college serving nearly 40,000 students annually. During her 17-year tenure, she also served as associate vice president of strategic execution and administrative systems support and as provost of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, where she led initiatives focused on student success, operational excellence and community engagement. Prior to entering higher education, she held executive leadership roles in finance and strategic planning in both the public and private sectors, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets and organizational initiatives.

A first-generation college graduate, Conner earned dual bachelor's degrees in accounting and computer information systems from Florida Southern College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tampa and a Ph.D. in leadership and education, with a specialization in higher education administration, from Barry University.

Conner and her husband, Martin, are the proud parents of three daughters. She believes higher education has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for future generations. Her leadership is guided by the philosophy, "Every Student, Every Dream, One AC," reflecting her commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.