Garden City Community College Names Two Finalists for Vice President for Instructional Services
[Garden City, KS] April 7, 2026 -- Garden City Community College (GCCC) is pleased to announce the two finalists for the position of Vice President for Instructional Services/Chief Academic Officer: Dr. Lance Hawvermale and Dr. Katie Reck.
Each finalist will soon participate in an on-campus visit that includes an interview with the search committee, as well as a forum open to GCCC faculty and staff.
GCCC looks forward to welcoming the finalists to campus as part of the selection process for this key academic leadership role.
Finalist Information:
Dr. Lance Hawvermale
- Dr. Hawvermale is an experienced community college leader and educator with a strong background in academic administration, accreditation, and student success initiatives. Currently serving as Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at Ranger College, he provides strategic leadership across multiple campuses, overseeing faculty, curriculum, budgeting, and divisional planning while also teaching as a Professor of English.
- With deep expertise in onboarding and retention, Guided Pathways, dual-credit partnerships, Open Educational Resources (OER), and assessment and accreditation, Dr. Hawvermale has led major institutional initiatives, including the development and successful approval of multiple Quality Enhancement Plans (QEPs) for regional reaccreditation. His work emphasizes data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities.
- In addition to administrative leadership, he serves as a Graduate Faculty Associate at Kansas State University, mentoring doctoral students in the Community College Leadership Program. His career also includes experience in higher education communications and student mentorship, reflecting a commitment to both institutional effectiveness and student development.
- Dr. Hawvermale holds an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership from Kansas State University, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees in English and History. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a sustained dedication to faculty development, academic excellence, and advancing community college missions.
Dr. Katie Reck
- Dr. Reck is a higher education leader and former tenured faculty member with extensive experience in academic administration, workforce education, grant development, and statewide policy initiatives. Currently serving as Director of Adult Education at Seward County Community College, providing strategic leadership for federally funded workforce and academic programs across a nine-county region in Southwest Kansas.
- With a strong background in program development and institutional strategy, Dr. Reck specializes in building workforce pathways, securing external funding, and fostering partnerships with industry and community stakeholders. Her work emphasizes data-driven program evaluation and return-on-investment analysis to enhance educational outcomes and align training with regional workforce needs.
- Dr. Reck holds a Ph.D. in Family and Human Development from Utah State University, where her research focused on program evaluation and family systems, and a B.S. in Political Science. Her career includes tenured faculty experience and instructional leadership roles across multiple universities, reflecting a deep commitment to student success, faculty mentorship, and innovative educational programming.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.