Damon Kennedy

Damon Kennedy, Ph.D., serves as the fifth President of Midland College in Midland, Texas.  For over two decades, Dr. Kennedy has been committed to Midland College, the Midland community, and the wider Permian Basin.  During that time, he has successfully collaborated with taxing entities, business and industry, and philanthropic partners to enable impactful work at Midland College.  He is a champion of workforce development aligned with student demand and industry need and has emphasized the significance of dual credit opportunities for students throughout the Midland College service area. 

He currently serves on the Texas Association of Community Colleges Board as well as their Legislative Committee, Certificate Programs Task Force, Revenue Subcommittee, and Business Advisory Council.  In addition, Dr. Kennedy serves on boards of the Texas Community College Consortium, the Midland College Foundation, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Midland, as well as the Permian Basin Workforce Development Board.  Dr. Kennedy also has extensive experience with program and institutional accreditation, serving as a chair of regional accrediting committees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

A former student at Midland College, Dr. Kennedy is a life-long West Texan.  He and his wife of thirty years have two daughters, both graduates of Texas A&M University: one completed a BA and MA in early childhood education curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on literacy and the other with a BA in philosophy who is currently studying at the Baylor University School of Law.

Dr. Kennedy earned a Ph.D. in American History from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. His dissertation focused on Samuel Burk Burnett and the 6666 Ranch.  He has an M.A. and B.A. in American History from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas.  His thesis focused on John Ben Shepperd.