Kilgore College names interim president
Posted/updated on: October 23, 2025 at 7:58 am
KILGORE – The Kilgore College Board of Trustees voted on Monday to name Dr. Staci Pollan Martin as the school’s interim president, since their current president Dr. Brenda Kays is retiring in February of 2026. Martin currently serves as Kilgore College’s vice president of organizational effectiveness and excellence, and she’ll officially become the college’s interim president on Nov. 1 according to our news partner KETK.
As a Kilgore College staff member since 2001, Martin has worn many hats including serving as vice president of student life and college affairs, vice president of student services, vice president of institutional planning, registrar and director of admissions.
Martin has a doctor of education degree in higher education from Texas Tech University, a masters of science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University–Texarkana and her bachelor’s of science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University.
“Being selected as interim president of Kilgore College is the highest honor of my career,” Martin said. “I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for placing their faith in me to serve KC in this role and will do my best to be a good steward of this great institution while it is in my care.”
“During her tenure at KC, Martin has led multiple campus-wide initiatives focused on student success, institutional effectiveness, and innovation,” a Kilgore College press release said. “She served as the college’s liaison to both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and has represented KC at state and national conferences.”
President Kays will continue working with Kilgore College during her transition into retirement and has been honored for her service to the college by being named president emeritus.
The Kilgore College Board of Trustees has also entered into a contract with the Association of Community College Trustees to help search for a new permanent president. The association anticipates that a new president will start work in June or July of 2026.
