Good morning, Panola College! It's Monday, July 28, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus.
First, let's talk about the weather. Today in Carthage, Texas, we're expecting mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching up to 96 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon. So, be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks if you're spending time outdoors.
In academic news, Panola College has been nationally recognized as an Opportunity College in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to student access and success, placing us among just 60 community colleges nationwide celebrated for advancing student opportunity and achievement. Notably, we're one of only eight community colleges in Texas to receive this honor and the only one in East Texas. This recognition reflects our dedication to providing meaningful pathways that lead students to educational attainment and strong workforce outcomes.
Speaking of student success, our enrollment numbers have reached a historic milestone. For the Spring 2025 semester, Panola College enrolled 2,573 students, marking the highest spring enrollment in our 78-year history. This growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. We've also expanded our offerings, including the opening of the state-of-the-art Matthews Foundation Energy Building and new dual credit programs across 19 Independent School Districts.
This summer, Panola College is offering a variety of fun-filled camps for children aged five and up. From art adventures to robotics and computer programming, there's something for every young learner. For example, the Robotics camp runs from July 15 to 17, and the Computer Programming camp is scheduled for July 22 and 23. These camps provide a perfect mix of learning and fun. For more details and to register, visit our website and click on the "Summer Camps for Kids" tab.
In support of our students' academic journeys, Panola College has been awarded a $125,000 College Readiness and Success Models Grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This grant will help us enhance developmental education reforms and implement innovative initiatives aimed at increasing student success. One of the key programs funded by this grant is the expansion of our Texas Success Initiative boot camps, now offering both online and self-paced options to better prepare students for college-level coursework.
Additionally, our nursing program has received a $255,633 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Nursing Shortage Reduction Program. These funds will allow us to provide a second spring entry for students applying to the LVN-RN one-year transition track, offering more opportunities for face-to-face learning and helping to address the nursing shortage in Texas.
Looking ahead, the first day of instruction for the 2025-26 school year is set for Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:45 AM. This includes campuses such as Panola Charter School, Texas Early College High School, and Panola Early College High School. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting year.
That's all for today's update. Stay cool, stay safe, and have a great day, Panola College!