2026 Conference Speakers

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart serves as the ninth Chancellor of the Austin Community College District (ACC). His leadership is centered on the principle of love and a deep commitment to systemic and cultural transformation that advances student success for all students.

Since beginning his tenure at Austin Community College, Russell has championed innovative student-focused initiatives, including the launch of a pilot for free tuition, creating opportunities for more Central Texans to attend college without financial barriers. Russell has also expanded the College’s basic needs supports, including emergency aid, child care, food assistance, and more, ensuring students have the resources they need to persist and thrive.

At ACC, Russell has guided the development of the College’s Theory of Change, a strategic framework built on four pillars: Starting Strong, Enrolling Full Time, Meeting Basic Needs, and Belonging and Connection. These pillars drive ACC’s North Star goal of ensuring that 70 percent of students complete, transfer, or successfully enter the workforce.

Russell often says ACC is the glue of Central Texas, serving as the anchor for the region’s educational, workforce, and community needs. He has positioned ACC as a national leader in workforce development, particularly in the semiconductor sector, while also deepening partnerships with schools, employers, and community organizations to strengthen opportunity and economic mobility across the region.

Prior to joining ACC, Russell served as President of Amarillo College from 2014 to 2023 and earlier as Vice President of Academic Affairs. During his tenure, Amarillo College was named co-winner of the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Other distinctions included recognition as a 2021 Aspen Top Five Institution and Rising Star, the Leah Meyer Austin Award for Achieving the Dream, the Bellwether Award, and membership in the inaugural Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship class.

In addition to his leadership in Texas, Russell is a nationally recognized speaker and thought leader, frequently invited to share insights on community college transformation, student success, equity, and workforce alignment.

Russell is deeply engaged in Central Texas, serving on the boards of American YouthWorks, United Way for Greater Austin, the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, Austin 2030 Network, and the Austin Healthcare Council, as well as the Board of Directors for the Kody Hodge Foundation. Russell also serves on the Boards of Directors for the American Association of Community Colleges and the League for Innovation in the Community College.

He earned 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.

Russell and his wife of nearly 30 years are the proud parents of three children.