An experienced college administrator will return to her Amarillo College roots in a leadership role.
Denese Skinner has been appointed the new vice president of student affairs. She begins her new position on Sept. 5.
As vice president of student affairs, Skinner will lead AC’s efforts to retain students and oversee divisions including student life, academic advising, and new student orientation, according to information from AC.
“The things happening at AC in terms of helping students find success is incredible,” Skinner said in a statement. “I have been thoroughly impressed by the accomplishments of everyone at the college and how they all step up to help students succeed.”
Skinner attended AC on a basketball scholarship, moving on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree from West Texas A&M University.
Skinner has worked at WT since 1993, where she is the school’s career services director. She also has worked in other positions including vice president of enrollment management and interim vice president of student affairs.
“I could not think of a more capable, enthusiastic leader for this division than Denese Skinner,” AC President Russell Lowery-Hart said in a statement. “Denese brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and most importantly, passion, to this position and I am thrilled to see what she will do in this role.”
Skinner’s appointment is part of a cabinet-level leadership reorganization at AC.
Skinner replaces Bob Austin, who as been named AC’s vice president of enrollment management. In that role, Austin will lead efforts to recruit and grow enrollment, and help prepare incoming students for entering college.
The changes are rooted in AC’s No Excuses 2020 commitment campaign, which aims for 70 percent student completion rates by that year.
Mike Smith is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. Contact him at mike.smith@actx.edu, on Twitter at @newsmithm and on Facebook.
