GCCC names Lance Hawvermale as academic chief, starting July 1, 2026

Garden City Community College has announced Dr. Lance Hawvermale will become its Vice President for Instructional Services / Chief Academic Officer, with his appointment beginning July 1, 2026. The change was posted by the college on June 16, 2026.

In the role, GCCC says Hawvermale will provide leadership for the college’s academic programs, instructional innovation, and workforce alignment while overseeing instructional services and academic support operations across the institution.

What Hawvermale will oversee

GCCC’s release describes the position as spanning academic programs and instructional services, along with academic support operations. For students and families, that matters because these areas shape how instruction is delivered and how academic support is organized to help students persist and succeed.

Credentials and background listed by GCCC

According to the June 16 announcement, Hawvermale brings more than 15 years of experience in community college education and administration. The college lists expertise including academic leadership, accreditation, student success initiatives, and expanding access to affordable, high-quality education.

GCCC says he previously served as Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at Ranger College, where he led academic programs across multiple campuses and oversaw faculty, curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning. The release also says he taught English courses as a professor.

The announcement adds that Hawvermale has led institutional initiatives focused on accreditation, retention, and continuous improvement. GCCC says his work includes the development and successful approval of multiple Quality Enhancement Plans (QEPs) tied to regional reaccreditation efforts, along with initiatives designed to strengthen student support and academic achievement.

GCCC also says Hawvermale serves as a Graduate Faculty Associate at Kansas State University, mentoring doctoral students in the Community College Leadership Program.

Timeline: announced June 16, effective July 1

The appointment was announced June 16, 2026 and starts on July 1, 2026. The college’s online faculty & staff directory currently lists Dr. Lance Hawvermale as “VP for Instructional Services / CAO.”

What to watch for next at GCCC

Starting July 1, this leadership change places academic programs, instructional services, and academic support operations under Hawvermale’s portfolio. As the transition takes effect, students, families, and workforce partners may see how academic services are organized within that structure—and how course planning and student support are managed as the college continues aligning with workforce needs.

Sources

• Garden City Community College news release (June 16, 2026): “GCCC names Lance Hawvermale…”