Libby Howell serves as the Executive Director and lead administrator of Pima Community College’s Community and Government Relations unit.  Joining the College in 2015, she has directed the College’s efforts in communicating with the various constituencies, elected officials, and community leaders upon whom the College relies, developing and maintaining critical relationships with both the public and private sector. With an extensive background in emergency communications, Libby serves on PCC’s Alternate Operations and Emergency Planning Committee.  On the national level, she serves on the National Commission for the Advocacy & Advancement of Community Colleges, as well as on the Public Policy Advisory Committee for the American Association of Community Colleges.

Prior to joining PCC, Libby finished a 26-year career for Southwest Gas Corporation as its Senior Administrator of Corporate Communications where she was responsible for the Southern Arizona Division’s media relations, local government relations, and employee communications, and public relations advertising.

She holds a bachelor of arts with double majors in English and Music, and a Master of Arts in Voice.   She is accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America, and is a graduate of the Arizona Executive Program at the University of Arizona.

She was awarded the Public Relations Professional of the Year Award in both 2014 and 2022 by the Southern Arizona Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and received both the President’s Award and the Aspire Award from Southwest Gas for excellence in work product and standing as an example to other management personnel. Libby has also received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals for outstanding community service.

Throughout her career Libby has served on numerous community Boards of Directors and volunteered for several community non-profits, including Arizona’s Children Association, Friends of Saguaro National Park, Tucson Clean & Beautiful, and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus.

She is married to her own personal astronomer, Gary Mechler, and they have two terrific adult children with wonderful spouses. Libby is an adoring grandmother to preschooler Genevieve and toddler Jamie.  Libby also makes a mean pecan pie.