President

a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Ninth President of Galveston College. After Dr. W. Myles Shelton's successful 19-year tenure as President of Galveston College and a career in Texas community colleges that has spanned five decades, Dr. Shelton has announced his retirement. The new President of Galveston College will honor the culture, traditions, and history of the College and provide vision and leadership in taking the College into the future and to its next level of achievement. Galveston College Profile: Galveston College delivers high-quality academic programs, technical and professional education programs, continuing education, and community services programming to Galveston Island and the surrounding region. The College enrolled approximately 2,717 credit students in the fall of 2025 and serves nearly 6,000 individuals annually through continuing education and workforce training programs. With a dedicated full-time faculty and staff of 172 and 46 adjunct instructors, Galveston College is a progressive, student-focused institution known for strong business and community partnerships. The College has earned recognition for excellence in health sciences, workforce training, and innovative academic and student support. Through the Universal Access program, the College provides tuition-free education for Galveston Island high school graduates. With strong fundraising efforts, the College continues to expand educational opportunities and academic and student support services focused on successful student outcomes. In its 58th year, the College remains fiscally sound and a vital force for local growth and prosperity. Galveston College Mission Galveston College, an innovative public post-secondary institution dedicated to student success, teaching, and learning, creates accessible learning opportunities to fulfill individual and community needs by providing high-quality educational programs and services. Galveston College Vision Galveston College: A beacon of light guiding life-long learning. Galveston College Accreditation Galveston College is accredited as a Level II institution by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges, having been reaffirmed in 2025. Galveston College offers certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees. Community Profile: Steeped in history and coastal charm, Galveston Island is a vibrant port and coastal community with roots dating back to 1836. The city blends its rich cultural heritage with a modern, thriving economy built on world-class hospitality and tourism, a busy port and cruise industry, health care, restored historic neighborhoods, and a lively downtown. Home to approximately 53,700 residents, Galveston is also an educational and medical hub, home to The University of Texas Medical Branch and Texas A&M University at Galveston. The island’s calendar is filled with cultural festivals, community traditions, and seaside events, offering the perfect balance of small-town warmth and big-city accessibility. Just an hour from Houston, Galveston provides an exceptional quality of life for those who live, learn and lead here. Challenges and Opportunities for Galveston College Galveston College faces significant challenges and opportunities in the coming years, particularly related to growth and funding. Manage for unprecedented growth requiring expansion of services and staff, particularly in dual credit. Ability to navigate local, state and federal political and funding challenges, including finding new funding sources. Ability to integrate AI and technology into educational programs, processes, and procedures. Ability to expand online education to serve a broader student base. Ability to address the needs of industry and adding new programs, including bachelor degrees and athletics. Essential Qualities of the Next President Ability to provide vision and leadership; implement sound fiscal judgment to advance the institution, ability to work effectively with different constituencies; possess outstanding communication skills; and, the ability to formulate a clear academic philosophy. Ability to maintain a strong commitment to openness and consensus building, consistent with the governance among the administration, faculty and staff. Ability to attract, develop, and retain outstanding faculty, staff, and administration. Ability to generate a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving. Ability to be the chief advisor to the Board of Regents in all matters pertaining to the educational and business affairs of the College. Ability to maintain a strong commitment to good communication, openness, and collegiality. Presidential Ideal Characteristics Understand and have a strong commitment to the comprehensive community college, including baccalaureate degrees offered at the community college. Foster and lead as a visionary and ethical individual with integrity who is compassionate and intelligent with a proven track record in a time of change, while respecting institutional traditions and culture. Exhibit leadership and skills to lead the development and implementation of the College’s next strategic plan (2027-2032), while thinking creatively and imagining and implementing plans for the future of the institution and the community. Manifest a successful record of maintaining and sustaining a cohesive relationship with faculty, staff, and students. Understand the history and culture of Galveston and Galveston College and be able to effectively communicate with the community the College serves. Exhibit a commitment to successful student outcomes and to creating pathways and opportunities for success. Demonstrate successful educational leadership focused on teaching and learning with experience in program development, evaluation, accreditation, and outcomes assessment. Exemplify leadership and skills in support of a college foundation, resource development, financial management, and team building. Exhibit a successful record of promoting partnerships with various constituencies, including higher education institutions, public schools, business and industry, labor, funders, and community groups. Demonstrate success with institutional advocacy with an ability to represent the College's needs to the community, including all levels of government and funding. Provide strong, decisive leadership experience and decision-making style based on collaborative relationships and one which seeks to empower others. Illustrate evidence of a working knowledge of the use and implementation of technology in both educational and administrative environments and understand and support the idea that cybersecurity is a critical institutional priority that protects student data, academic integrity, and operational continuity. Provide evidence of effective leadership in supporting economic development and workforce training. Demonstrate support of academic services and student services which enhance student life and contribute to student success. Exhibit excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate people within a collegial environment. Required Minimum Qualifications: Education and Experience Doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution strongly preferred. 3-5 years of senior-level administrative experience at the collegiate level. Community college classroom teaching experience strongly preferred. How to Apply - Submission Process This is a confidential search process. To ensure full consideration, all application materials should be received no later than February 6, 2026. The position will remain open until filled. To apply, go to the link at ACCT at: President, Galveston College, TX – ACCT Searches and upload your documents. Candidates will need to have the following information or materials available to complete the application: A letter of application (not to exceed 5 pages) that succinctly addresses the opportunities and challenges identified in the Position Profile and demonstrates how the candidate’s experience and professional qualifications prepare them to serve as the President of Galveston College. A current resume including an email address and cellular telephone number. A list of eight references: example, two to three supervisors, two to three direct reports, and two to three faculty and/or staff members from current and former institutions. Include name, email address, and telephone number For additional information, nominations or confidential inquiries, please contact: Susan Moore-Fontenot, ACCT Search Consultant or (832) 597-4951 (mobile) or Bill Holda, Ed.D., ACCT Search Consultant, wmholda@gmail.com or (903) 987-3332 (mobile)