Lewter named executive director of Texas Community College Journalism Association

News-Record publisher Austin Lewter, has been named executive director of the Texas Community College Journalism Association (TCCJA).

The announcement came during the association’s annual convention, held Oct. 8-9 on the Tarleton State University campus in Stephenville.

Lewter, a longtime community newspaper publisher, editor and journalism educator, also serves as an instructor of journalism at Tarleton State University and director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism He will lead the statewide organization dedicated to supporting journalism education and student media programs at Texas community colleges.

The appointment follows Lewter’s work coordinating the 2026 TCCJA convention, which brought student journalists, faculty advisers and media professionals from community colleges across Texas to Tarleton’s campus for two days of professional development, educational sessions and networking opportunities.

Participating institutions included Dallas College, Tarrant County College, Tyler Junior College and Del Mar College.

Previously, Lewter organized the 2024 TCCJA convention— also in Stephenville. 

Lewter serves as director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism, which provides training, resources and professional development opportunities for community newspapers throughout the state. 

TCCJA president Lori Dann heralded Lewter’s appointment. 

“I can’t think of a better person to lead TCCJA than Austin Lewter. He is not only a tireless advocate for journalism and student media, but we’ve seen firsthand how dedicated he is to giving students hands-on opportunities to learn and grow at our annual conference,” Dann said. “With Austin at the helm, I fully expect TCCJA to provide even stronger support for community college students and advisers, which in turn will help strengthen four-year programs and professional media organizations throughout the state. We are excited to call Tarleton State University the new home of TCCJA.”

Dann is a student media adviser and journalism instructor at Tarrant County College. 

Lewter also serves as the journalism program lead at Tarleton State University and faculty adviser of the Texas News Services and J-TAC student newspaper.
In addition to his academic responsibilities, Lewter has spent much of his professional career working in community journalism as a newspaper publisher, editor and writer in North and East Texas.

Still a newspaper publisher, he and his wife Jennifer own and operate the News-Record— a 150-year-old weekly newspaper in Grayson County. 

Austin also serves as the treasurer of National Newspaper Association/Foundation, sits on the Collinsville City Council and is the president of the Tioga High School Band Booster Club. 

He also keeps a busy speaking schedule with press associations across Texas and the nation. 

Austin is passionate about bridging the generations of journalists and helping publishers establish succession plans for their newsrooms. 

“This opportunity to strengthen connections between community college journalism programs, four-year universities and the professional news industry is a perfect fit for our mission at Tarleton and the Center,” Austin said. “I look forward to working with the TCCJA board and member institutions to support student journalists and faculty advisers, coordinate professional development opportunities and promote the continued growth of collegiate journalism throughout Texas.”

Founded in 1945, the Texas Community College Journalism Association serves student journalists and faculty advisers at two-year colleges across the state. 
Through its annual convention, journalism competitions and educational programming, the organization provides opportunities for students to develop reporting, writing, photography, design and digital media skills while connecting with working journalists and fellow students.

The association also plays an important role in helping students transition from community college journalism programs into four-year universities and professional media careers.

“I hope this appointment helps create additional opportunities for collaboration between TCCJA, Tarleton State University and other four-year journalism schools in Texas— as well as the Texas Center for Community Journalism,” Austin said. “It is all about preparing the next generation of Texas journalists.”