Board of Trustees Directory

Serving Santa Fe – Position 5: Term ends 2029

A resident of Dickinson since 2013, Melissa Skipworth is a seasoned Resource Management professional with over two decades of experience in workforce planning and strategic staffing. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston. Currently serving as a Resource Manager for a premier human capital consulting firm, Skipworth has held leadership roles at global firms including Deloitte, Grant Thornton, and IBM.

Throughout her career, Skipworth has been a champion for professional development, leading initiatives like "RM University" to drive organizational maturity. She is a firm believer in the essential role of community colleges in the modern economy. "College of the Mainland is the people’s first choice," Skipworth says. "We are a first-class resource in your backyard, providing students with the skills they need to enter the workforce and succeed."

She and her husband, Sean, have been married for nearly 20 years and have a son in Dickinson ISD.

Serving Texas City – Position 3: Term ends 2027

Texas City native Kyle Dickson serves as the Vice Chair of the Board. A proud alumnus of College of the Mainland, he earned a B.B.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Houston, and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. Dickson is currently the Managing Partner at Murray-Lobb, PLLC, where he provides legal counsel to financial institutions and small businesses.

Before returning to private practice, Dickson served as General Counsel for several telecommunications firms, including C2C Fiber and StarVox Communications. His commitment to the region is reflected in his service on the boards of the COM Foundation, Mainland Communities Crime Stoppers, and the Associated Credit Union of Texas. 

Dickson and his wife, Mary, a longtime local educator, are deeply rooted in the community, with both of their children being graduates of Texas City High School.

Serving Dickinson – Position 4: Term ends 2031

Dr. Kimberly Dodson is a distinguished educator and researcher residing in Dickinson. Her academic journey began at Walters State Community College, eventually leading to a Master of Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Currently a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, Dr. Dodson is nationally recognized for her scholarship on correctional policy and racial inequalities.

Prior to her career in academia, Dr. Dodson served as a Deputy Sheriff and Detective specializing in child and elder abuse cases, and later worked as a Contract Marshal for the U.S. Marshals Service. She is the recipient of the 2024 Texas Research and Scholarship Award and remains dedicated to the "Transforming Lives by Degrees" program, which provides higher education within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Serving At-Large Community – Position 7: Term ends 2029

Don Gartman is a veteran, businessman, and tireless community advocate who has spent decades serving Galveston County. After serving in the U.S. Army, Gartman earned a B.B.A. in Business Management from Southwest Texas State University. His professional career is marked by high-level executive roles at Houston Lighting and Power and Reliant Energy, including serving as CEO of an electric distribution company in Argentina.

In 2004 Gartman was instrumental in restructuring the Galveston County Economic Alliance. He has served as President of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and the Galveston United Way. A staunch advocate for affordable paths to success, Gartman views COM as a vital stepping stone. "A community college degree can be a gateway to a rewarding career or a four-year degree without the burden of large debt," he notes.

Serving At-Large Community – Position 6: Term ends 2031

Dr. Bill McGarvey is a Texas City resident whose life was transformed by his start at College of the Mainland. After earning his Associate of Arts at COM, he graduated with high honors in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, later earning a Master’s in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems. Dr. McGarvey spent over 20 years at IBM, where he was inducted into the prestigious Golden Circle for top-tier performance.

Following his corporate career, he founded William McGarvey Enterprises to manage local real estate. He has been a pivotal leader in the community, chairing the volunteer group that advocated for the 2018 COM bond referendum. "I refer to COM as the crown jewel of our community," McGarvey says. "It provided me the maturity and opportunity I needed when I was starting out, and I want to ensure it shines even brighter for future generations."

Serving La Marque – Position 1: Term ends 2031

Wilma Green is a pioneering educator and a resident of Texas City since 1952. She holds a B.B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, as well as a Master’s in Education and multiple teaching certifications. After a successful career with Southwestern Bell, Green transitioned to education, co-founding Mainland Preparatory Academy (MPA)—the first charter school in Galveston County.

Under her leadership as owner and administrator, MPA grew to serve 700 students and became renowned for its foreign language and prekindergarten programs. Green has remained a dedicated community voice, serving as a bridge between her constituents and the college administration. 

She believes COM should serve as the "backbone of the community," fostering transparency and high levels of student involvement.

Serving Hitchcock – Position 2: Term ends 2027

Hitchcock native Patti Hanssard is a lifelong educator with over 40 years of experience in public service. A graduate of COM and Southwest Texas State University, she holds master’s degrees in Occupational Education and Educational Management. Hanssard spent the majority of her career at Santa Fe ISD, serving as a teacher, dance director, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Communications.

A celebrated figure in local fine arts, she founded the award-winning Tribal Belles drill team, and in 2023, Santa Fe High School dedicated its dance room in her honor. Today, Hanssard is a licensed real estate agent and remains active with the Hitchcock Heritage Society and various local chambers of commerce. 

"Serving on this Board allows me to give back to the institution that shaped my own path," Hanssard shares, "and to help others achieve their educational goals."