Melissa Curtis

Dr. Melissa R. Curtis is the vice president for student success (VPSS) at Howard Community College. She joined the college on August 1, 2022. Prior to joining the college, Dr. Curtis was the associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at Austin Community College, leading enrollment strategies for the district’s eleven campuses. She also held positions as dean of student affairs at the Eastview Campus, and director of college connection, increasing college enrollment from the region’s 26 public school districts. She began her career as an English professor at Central Texas College, where she dedicated herself to improving college access and degree attainment of underrepresented students.

As the VPSS, Dr. Curtis provides leadership, management, and supervision in the enrollment services and student development divisions, so HCC Dragons can thrive and succeed in their educational and career goals. Dr. Curtis is a recognized coalition builder, nurturing partnerships within the educational ecosystem. Her service has included seats on the YMCA Austin Metropolitan Board, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Education Council, the E3 Alliance (Education Equals Economics) Blueprint Leadership Council, and the Austin College Attainment Network. Nationally, she has served on the CCSSE Students in Need in Community Colleges Advisory Board as well as the Higher Education Research and Development Institute (HERDI) South Advisory Board. Dr. Curtis is a published author and has presented nationally on emergency aid, equity in strategic enrollment management, and student affairs change management.

Dr. Curtis earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration at the University of Texas at Austin, her M.F.A. in creative writing from Texas State University, and her B.A. in Oral Tradition in African and American Literature from Vassar College.