Meet the Presidential Finalists

Throughout her career, Dr. Watts has led transformational institutional initiatives that strengthened student access, persistence and completion. Under her leadership, Brazosport College achieved record enrollment, including double-digit growth across consecutive terms, 15% in summer, 10% in fall, and 14% in spring, and the highest unduplicated headcount in the college’s history. She spearheaded the first comprehensive restructuring of enrollment and student success functions in more than four decades, improving coordination across advising, academic support and student services. Dr. Watts has led the implementation of ethical AI-enabled student engagement strategies, achieving a 97% student opt-in rate and strengthening the college’s ability to proactively identify and address student needs. Her leadership reflects a data-informed, student-centered approach that aligns institutional strategy with measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Dr. Watts brings deep experience in institutional advancement and fiscal stewardship. As Chief Advancement Officer and Executive Director of the Brazosport College Foundation, she led fundraising efforts that secured more than $16.5 million in philanthropic support, including the institution’s largest-ever major gift. Her work expanded scholarship support, strengthened student success initiatives and enhanced the college’s long-term financial sustainability. She has also served as a strategic advisor to the Board of Regents on institutional planning, enrollment performance, and fiscal priorities.

A strong advocate for workforce and community partnerships, Dr. Watts has expanded dual enrollment opportunities by as much as 60% through collaboration with school districts, faculty, and industry partners, strengthening pathways from high school to college and careers. She has also led initiatives addressing students’ basic needs, including the creation and expansion of a campus food pantry that has provided essential resources to thousands of students. Her leadership reflects a systems-level approach that integrates student success, academic alignment, workforce readiness and community engagement.

Dr. Watts began her career in public service as a congressional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she worked closely with federal agencies, community leaders and constituents. She later served as Program Director and Director of Development at a nonprofit organization that provides services to children with developmental delays and disabilities. She holds a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from Kansas State University, a Master of Organizational Leadership, and a Bachelor of Science in Government with a minor in Spanish from Evangel University. Dr. Watts is actively engaged in statewide higher education leadership, serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Community College Foundations, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).

Dr. Watts is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to student-centered practice, and ability to align institutional strategy with mission, fiscal sustainability and community needs. She brings a comprehensive internal and external perspective to higher education and is committed to strengthening institutions that expand opportunity and transform lives. Guided by a passion for empowering others, she is dedicated to advancing student success and positioning colleges to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

Over the past decade in the Texas community college system, Mr. Sullivan has developed strong relationships across the state and a deep understanding of the policy, funding, and workforce landscape shaping higher education, with experience spanning institutional strategy, operations and governance.

At Angelina College (AC), Mr. Sullivan provides executive oversight for Human Resources, Business Services, Information Technology, Grants and Sponsored Programs, the college’s Campus Police, Physical Plant Operations, and Legal and Risk Management. Reporting directly to the President, he works closely with the Board of Trustees and senior leadership on institutional policy, governance, finance and regulatory compliance while aligning operations with the college’s long-term strategic priorities.

During his tenure, AC has strengthened its financial position and made strategic investments in infrastructure and institutional capacity. AC has significantly increased its financial reserves and completed over $20 million in campus renovations and construction projects without new debt. He also led the creation of the Grants and Sponsored Programs office, securing millions in external funding to support institutional growth and student success.

Mr. Sullivan helped develop the AC’s 2021–2026 Strategic Plan and played a key role in the institution’s reaffirmation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which resulted in the on-site committee making no recommendations or findings of noncompliance in 2025.

He has been actively engaged in statewide higher education policy and finance, including appointment by the Texas Commissioner of Higher Education to the inaugural College Finance Advisory Committee, which advised on the implementation of House Bill 8 and the redesign of community college funding. Mr. Sullivan also served on the executive board of the Texas Association of Community College Business Officers and was elected by his peers to serve as President for the 2023–2024 term.

Mr. Sullivan holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law, an MBA from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Miami University.

He believes community colleges play a vital role in expanding access to education, strengthening workforce pathways, and creating meaningful opportunities for students and the communities they serve.

Mr. Sullivan and his wife, Rachael, a practicing OB/GYN, are raising their two young children, Dax and Bryn. Their family keeps him closely connected to the importance of strong educational pathways that create opportunities for future generations.