BIG SPRING, Texas — The Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees has appointed Tyler Sheppard, PhD, to fill the vacant at-large position on the Howard College Board of Trustees following the passing of longtime Trustee Dr./Chair John Freeman. Sheppard took the oath of office during the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday.
Sheppard was selected following a process established by the Board to seek qualified community members interested in serving the Howard County Junior College District. He will serve the unexpired portion of Dr. Freeman’s term until the next regularly scheduled election in May 2028.
“We are excited to have Dr. Sheppard join the Howard College Board of Trustees,” stated Board Chairman Maxwell Barr. “He brings a great deal of experience and public service to the table that will be an asset to the college and we feel certain he will make an immediate impact.”
A lifelong member of the Howard County community, Sheppard has called the area home for more than 30 years. He and his wife, Chelsea, are raising four daughters, all of whom attend Coahoma ISD and participate in school and community athletics. The Sheppard family are also active members of First Methodist Church and longtime supporters of Howard College events.
Sheppard is also a graduate of Howard College, earning his associate degree in 2006. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Special Education from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and a Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with a concentration in Performance Psychology from Grand Canyon University.
Sheppard currently serves as Director of Behavioral Health for West Texas Centers, a nonprofit organization providing behavioral health services throughout Howard and surrounding counties. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor and Dissertation Chair for Grand Canyon University and Liberty University, where he mentors doctoral students through their academic coursework and dissertation research.
“The opportunity to give back to the college that helped set me on a path to success is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to the opportunity to help keep building that path for future Hawks for years to come,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard said he believes rural community colleges such as Howard College play a critical role in student success, workforce development and the long-term vitality of the communities they serve. He looks forward to bringing his experience in local governance, education, and nonprofit administration to his service on the Board of Trustees.
The Howard County Junior College District Board of Trustees welcomes Sheppard to the Board and looks forward to his service in support of Howard College, its students and the communities it serves.
For more information about Howard College and SWCD, visit howardcollege.edu. Contact: Jayden Holt, 432-264-5059 or by email at jholt@howardcollege.edu