Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that Chancellor Richard M. Rhodes will retire in September.

Austin Community College’s board of trustees named Russell Lowery-Hart as the lone finalist for the next chancellor for the district in July.

What happened?

The board unanimously approved Lowery-Hart to be the new chancellor at a July 24 meeting. He will take the place of current Chancellor Richard M. Rhodes, who will retire at the end of September after 12 years of service.

“Dr. Lowery-Hart is a visionary with a proven history in the community college,” ACC Board Chair Barbra Mink said in a news release. “His focus on student success and his deep understanding of what students need to succeed is evident in his remarkable tenure, and it’s what will take ACC into the future.”


The specifics

The nationwide search for a new chancellor began in January and included multiple interviews. The college hired an outside firm to lead this process and also developed a 35-person search committee that included ACC students, employees, community members and stakeholders.

Lowery-Hart and the ACC board of trustees will now enter the negotiations stage. They will both have to wait for 21 days before making any official leadership changes or decisions. If he is appointed, he will be the ninth chancellor of ACC. In order to make the transition process smoother, Rhodes has agreed to a one-month contract extension and will continue to serve as chancellor of ACC through September.

Diving in deeper


Lowery-Hart has served as president of Amarillo College since 2014. While president, Amarillo College was named co-winner of the 2023 Aspen Prize, a Community College Excellence Award. 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
During his time at Amarillo College, three-year completion rates more than doubled from 22% to 56%, according to the news release. Additionally, the college saw a 75% growth rate of first-generation students completing their degree or certificate.

Quote of note

“I look forward to engaging with faculty and staff to explore the next phase of innovation,” Lowery-Hart said. “That’s my passion. It’s why I’m in this work and ultimately what I look forward to bringing to ACC.”