The National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) is pleased to announce that Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of the Austin Community College District, will serve as keynote speaker at the NCPN CONNECT 2025 Conference, scheduled for February 26-28, 2025, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. Dr. Lowery-Hart’s leadership philosophy is centered around the principle of LOVE, which drives his commitment to enhancing student success through systemic and cultural transformation.

Dr. Lowery-Hart’s tenure at Amarillo College, where he served as president before joining ACC, is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements, including leading the college to share the prestigious 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This national award recognizes colleges achieving high-quality, equitable outcomes for students.

“We are excited to have Dr. Lowery-Hart help us kickoff NCPN Connect 2025,” said Jennifer Jirous-Rapp, Vice President-Pathways & Partnerships. “His dedication to reimagining student success resonates deeply with our community, and we look forward to the unique perspectives he will share with our attendees.”

In addition to the Aspen Prize, Dr. Lowery-Hart’s accolades include the Leah Meyer Austin Award, the Bellwether Award, and membership in the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship, reflecting his lifelong commitment to student success and educational excellence.

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Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart will serve as the ninth Chancellor for Austin Community College District. Russell’s leadership is centered around the concept of—LOVE, with a dedicated focus on enhancing student success through systemic and cultural transformation.

As he prefers to be called, Russell previously served as president of Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, from 2014 to 2023 before beginning his tenure as ACC Chancellor. He also served as vice president of academic affairs for Amarillo College.

Under his leadership, Amarillo College was named co-winner of the prestigious 2023 Aspen Prize, a Community College Excellence award. The award recognizes community colleges demonstrating high-quality and equitable outcomes for students. Other accolades under his leadership include:

• 2021 Top Five Institution and Rising Star for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
• Leah Meyer Austin Award for Achieving the Dream
• Bellwether Award
• Membership in the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship
• Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges

Russell received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from West Texas State University, a master’s degree in communication studies from Texas Tech University, and a doctorate in interpersonal communication (with an emphasis on gender and diversity) from Ohio University. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kody Hodge Foundation.

Russell and his wife of almost 30 years share three children.

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