Bio

Hi!  My name is Courtney Milleson.  I'd like to introduce myself and help you get to know me a bit better.

Education

I attended elementary school in Dumas, Texas, and my family moved to Muleshoe shortly before I started middle school (5th grade). I graduated from Muleshoe High School in 1992 and attended West Texas A&M University, where I was active in various social and service organizations. During the summers, I returned to Muleshoe to work and also took classes at Clovis Community College, transferring credits back to WT. I majored in Speech with a Public Relations emphasis and graduated in 1996. As the first person in my mom's family to graduate from college and tied for second on my dad's side, I consider myself a first-generation college student.

In graduate school at Texas Tech University, I studied higher education, learning how colleges and universities shape and impact students. I graduated with a Master's of Education in 1999.

In 2000, I began working on doctoral classes, officially becoming "ABD" (All But Dissertation) in 2006. Despite significant challenges (being a new mom, losing my mom, and my dissertation chair changing three times), I wrote chapters 1, 2, and 3 three different times on three different topics. This challenging period prepared me for my current work with adult students, providing me with compassion for their process, challenges, and choices.

Professional Life

After graduating from West Texas A&M University, I accepted a position with Odessa College (OC) in Odessa, Texas, serving as the coordinator of student recruiting and later as the coordinator of student activities. I truly enjoyed my time at OC and learned a lot.

I then worked at West Texas A&M University as the Associate Director of the Jack B. Kelley Student Center - Student Activities, coordinating student activities for the campus, fraternity and sorority activities, and supervising several student organization projects.

In 2002, I returned to my community college roots and began working at Amarillo College. I love the students and staff of Amarillo College. In 2016, I was fortunate enough to be placed in the Speech Communication department as a full-time faculty member. Helping students reach their goals by managing their communication expectations is paramount. In 2021, I was granted tenure, and in 2022, I received the rank of Professor, two career accomplishments I am very proud of. In 2025, I became the Matney Mass Media, Visual Arts, and Communication department chair. I also teach communication courses at Bellevue University as an adjunct instructor.

Personal Life

While living in Odessa, I met and married my husband, Jay. Together, we are raising three kids: Madeline, John, and Reed. We have a Great Dane named Ivy and two cats, Desert and Mrs. Cuddles.

Hobbies

I enjoy traveling with students and my family. I have traveled internationally to Paris, France; Greece; and Dakar, Senegal. I am a Disney adult and have visited Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Paris. I have taught myself how to quilt, garden, and can food from our garden. Our family adores baseball, and I am a Chicago Cubs fan, although I will watch any baseball game on TV. I believe naps are the best thing ever invented, followed closely by Dr Peppers and chocolate. I adore competitive art competitions (marching competitions, concert/sight-reading, VASE, OAP, speech tournaments, etc.) and don’t understand why others don’t as well.