October 5, 2023- Amarillo, Texas — Ascension Academy is pleased to announce the addition of Cassie Montgomery as the school’s new Development Director, effective October 3, 2023. Montgomery will join the administration team and will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and evaluating advancement efforts for Ascension Academy. Montgomery will work to make progress towards cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for the school's key prospects- faculty, students, parents, alumni, and potential stakeholders to effectively execute development and strategic programs that increase annual giving. She will also plan and coordinate the Annual Gala in the Spring. Head of School, Tim Oditt says, "Cassie comes to Ascension with a diverse background in education and outreach. Her experience and knowledge will assist Ascension in connecting its mission to critical donors that will help solidify the future of the Academy". Montgomery joins us after 5 years at Amarillo College as the Director of Outreach Services. She has a robust background in corporate communication and volunteer management, both within the private sector and in public service. She has her B.S. in Speech Communication and a M.A. in Communication Studies, both from West Texas A&M University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of the Cumberlands, with an anticipated completion of December 2023. She is an active community member with several local nonprofit endeavors, including the Amarillo Area Foundation, Elevate Amarillo, Amarillo College, and West Texas A&M. “Education is at the very foundation of who I am, so I am passionate about fostering the love of learning in others,” says Montgomery. Cassie has one son, Remington, who keeps her busy with sports and fine arts. She is also an adjunct instructor teaching speech courses at Amarillo College. When time allows, she tries to travel outside of the area to explore different cultures and cuisines. Her favorite trip so far has been to Switzerland, Italy, France, and Monaco. “Ascension Academy is the definition of a forward-thinking organization, filled with passionate learners, so it was an easy decision to join the Cardinal community,” concludes Montgomery.‍