Joe Willis Biography Joe Willis received his Bachelors degree in Speech Communication and English from Eastern New Mexico University in 1977 and his Masters degree in Speech Communication from Texas Tech University in 1978. Mr. Willis has been a classroom teacher for thirty two years. He spent the first fifteen years of his career teaching Speech and English in the public schools. During that time, Mr. Willis coached three UIL state champions in various speech events. Mr. Willis’ students won five UIL district championships in all of the five years he taught at Floydada High School. While at San Angelo Central High School, Mr. Willis’s speech and debate teams won eight consecutive UIL district championships. He coached a Texas Forensic League Extemporaneous Speaking Champion in 1992 and finished his high school teaching career in 1993 coaching a National Champion in Lincoln Douglas Debate.
Moving to Midland in 1993, Mr. Willis taught for eleven years at Odessa College. In 2004, Mr. Willis took a position at Midland College, teaching speech communication as an Assistant Professor. During this time, he focused on raising his two sons, Joey and Randy, who attended MISD schools and have gone on to successful careers in vocational ministry.
Mr. Willis is married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara. The couple has been married for thirty- five years. Their son, Joey, is youth minister and currently involved in World Race 11:11 His brother, Randy, lives in Houston, Texas, where he serves as a youth minister. Mr. Willis attends First Baptist Church. He is active in the Emmaus Community, as well.
Work Experience
Thirty Five years of Secondary and Post Secondary Instruction Twenty years as a consultant to schools and businesses NISOD Excellence Award, University of Texas, 2012 Teaching Excellence Award, Midland College, 2012 President, Willis and Willis Consulting, 1985 – Present
Volunteer Activities
Midland High School Volleyball, 1994 – Present. Greenwood High School Volleyball, 2003 - Present United Way of Midland, 2000 – 2009. Habitat for Humanity, 1996 – 2003. Reading Library for the Blind, 1993 – 1996. Midland High School Soccer Booster Club, Member and Officer, 1998 – 2003. Member, Midland Emmaus Community , Walks and Chrysalis, 2004 – 2010. Member of MISD Superintendent Search Focus Group, Spring 2010. Safety Presentation Training for Basic Energy, Fall 2005. Judge for Midland Lee and Midland High Invitational Speech Tournaments, 2004 – 2010. Rock the Desert Ministry, 2002 – 2010. Chaplain for Midland Gideon Camp, 2010. Midland College Softball, 2009 – 2010. Greenwood High School and Junior High School Track, 1998 – 2010. Member and Chair of the Midland Housing Authority, 2004 – 2008.
Honors and Awards
Maridell Fryar Award for Outstanding Coaching in 1992. Faculty Senate President, Odessa College, 2003 – 2004. Faculty Senate President, Midland College, 2009 – 2010. Texas Speech Communication Association, District Chairperson, 1980 – 1988 and 1994 – 1996. President of West Texas Speech Association, 2005. Texas Speech Communication Association Life Member, 1979 – Present. Member of the National Communication Association, 2007 – 2010.