Amarillo College is inviting community members to join an upcoming strategic planning forum and help shape the institution’s future.The event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 in the Student Life & Conference Center on the Washington Street Campus.Led by Amarillo College President Dr. Jamelle Conner, the forum is designed to be an open, welcoming space where attendees can share ideas, offer input, and engage in meaningful conversations about the college’s direction and priorities.

When Salvador Gonzalez told his father he had earned a scholarship that could pay for his entire associate degree, the moment was emotional. His father, who completed only the third grade while growing up in Mexico, was moved to tears.Just months earlier, Gonzalez had moved from Houston to Bovina, unsure what to expect in a new town and a new school.

The Future Billionaires Club at Amarillo College is hosting its second annual business expo, Innovate U!, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the Oeschger Family Mall on the AC Washington Street campus.Designed to spotlight entrepreneurship across campus, Innovate U! gives Amarillo College students and employees the chance to showcase their businesses or business ideas, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and build valuable professional relationships.

Amarillo College Student Media earned 36 awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) convention, held March 19–21 in Denton, continuing a strong tradition of excellence in collegiate journalism.In total, AC Student Media received two Overall Excellence awards, 13 first-place awards, nine second-place awards, nine third-place awards and five honorable mentions.

Panhandle PBS will mark April as Senior Hunger Awareness Month with a month-long focus on programming, digital content, and community engagement centered on its original series, “Broken Bread: Examining Senior Food Insecurity in the Texas Panhandle.”The multi-part series explores the causes, regional disparities, and wide-ranging impacts of food insecurity among older adults across the Texas Panhandle. Through personal stories, expert insights, and local solutions, “Broken Bread” aims to raise awareness while encouraging meaningful community action.

High school students from across the region got a head start on their careers thanks to a partnership between Amarillo College and Amarillo Independent School District that brought the 2026 SkillsUSA District 3 contests to Amarillo for the first time.The competitions, held Feb. 12-13, gave students the opportunity to showcase technical skills in trade and industrial programs and qualify for the state-level contests in Corpus Christi next month, with the chance to advance to the national competition in Atlanta this summer.

Individuals interested in exploring rewarding careers in healthcare are invited to attend the upcoming Men in Healthcare event from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 2 at Amarillo College’s West Campus.Designed to introduce participants to the wide range of opportunities available in the healthcare field, the event will highlight careers that offer strong job security, competitive salaries, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Attendees will gain insight into working in fast-paced medical environments and learn how their interests and skills can translate into in-demand healthcare professions.

Art and rhythm will collide as Panhandle PBS prepares for the inaugural screening of its original documentary, Cadillac Ranch. Titled 10 Cadillacs, 10 Movements, 1 Stunning Performance, the film explores the Amarillo Symphony’s commissioned orchestral work inspired by one of the most iconic landmarks in Texas.

Amarillo College will host a dynamic Career Expo and Transfer Fair on Wednesday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Student Life and Conference Center Event Center, bringing together university representatives, employers, and students for an engaging opportunity to plan for future success.The event will feature more than 12 university representatives from Arts, Education and Liberal Arts programs, along with over 20 employers from a variety of industries. Designed as a combined career expo and transfer fair, the event will connect students with internship opportunities, job openings, and pathways to four-year degrees.

Amarillo College will host its “Women in Industry: Build. Weld. Machine. Succeed.” event on Thursday, March 26 offering participants an opportunity to explore high-demand careers in technical and industrial fields.The free event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the East Campus Student Support Center Gymnasium, located at 1401 J Ave. Lunch will be provided, and space is limited. Attendees must pre-register to secure a spot.

More than 400 high school students from across the region will gather Friday, March 27 at Amarillo College for the annual Ignite the Arts high school creative arts conference, a day of faculty- and artist-led workshops designed to inspire the next generation of creatives.Co-presented by Amarillo College and the Texas Panhandle Art Education Association (TPAEA), Ignite will take place at AC’s Washington Street Campus. Students representing Amarillo ISD, Boys Ranch, Bushland, Canyon, Pampa, Plainview, River Road, Sanford-Fritch, Spearman and Texline schools will check in at 8 a.m.

Panhandle PBS is proud to have contributed to the development of PBS’s newly launched Community Engagement Learning Path, a comprehensive professional development program now available to public media stations across the country through Public Media Learns.Created by the PBS Immersive Learning Team and the PBS Programming Engagement Team in partnership with Nine PBS, the Community Engagement Learning Path and companion guidebook were designed as evergreen resources to help stations strengthen their engagement strategies, build meaningful partnerships, and better serve their communities.

Amarillo College Theatre is presenting The School for Lies, a razor-sharp comedy by acclaimed playwright David Ives, continuing through Sunday, March 8. Set in Paris in 1666, the play centers on the brilliant and beguiling young widow Célimène, whose famously biting wit has landed her in legal trouble. Surrounded by shallow suitors whom she effortlessly manipulates—but refuses to marry—Célimène has successfully avoided love since the death of her husband. That is, until the arrival of the mysterious and outspoken Frank.

Thirteen Amarillo College theatre students recently showcased their talent and dedication at the American College Theatre Festival last month in Abilene, earning multiple awards and national recognition while representing the College and its theatre program with distinction.Students competed in a variety of performance and technical theatre categories against peers from colleges and universities across the region.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company—the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance—will present a check for $100,000 grant at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the Innovation Outpost at 1220 S. Polk. With this Amarillo College continues to fund the college’s Safety and Environmental Technology Program, which provides workplace safety courses for community employers, employees and the general public.

Elizabeth A. Brown, a seasoned law enforcement executive with more than 24 years of progressive leadership experience, was sworn in as Chief of Police for the Amarillo College Police Department Feb. 24 at the AC Board of Regents meeting. Brown brings a distinguished record in public safety and the private sector, including service with the Amarillo Police Department where she was a Captain for 8 years. She earned a master of arts in communication from West Texas A & M University and is an Amarillo College Alumni. 

 Amarillo College Student Media brought home top honors once again this year at the Amarillo chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s 2026 Advertising Awards on Feb. 20.  “The Current,” AC’s student-produced magazine, won a Gold ADDY award and a Special Judges Award for its fall 2024 edition.

Amarillo College will present its annual Music Department Student Honors Recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 in the Concert Hall Theater. Students selected to perform on the Honors Recital are chosen based upon faculty recommendations following December juries. The recital showcases outstanding student musicians who have demonstrated exceptional performance skill and artistry.

The year was 1976. The date was March 15.On a bright spring day in the mid-1970s, precisely at noon, a brand-new voice came alive on the airwaves—one that would shape generations of music lovers, students, and community members across the Texas Panhandle.That voice was KACV-FM, Amarillo College’s FM90—a 100,000-watt, non-commercial radio station broadcasting at 89.9 FM across the Texas Panhandle.

Amarillo College will welcome internationally renowned poet, storyteller, musician and playwright Joy Harjo for a public lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26 in the AC Concert Hall Theatre at AC’s Washington Street Campus, as part of the Creative Mind Lecture Series, sponsored by the Amarillo College Foundation.