Panola College Achieves Record Enrollment, National Recognition, New Grants, Partnerships, and Campus Expansion in 2025

Good afternoon, Panola College! It's Monday, August 25, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus. First, let's talk about the weather. Today in Carthage, it's sunny with a current temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures are expected to rise throughout the day, reaching a high of 95 degrees by late afternoon. So, stay hydrated and take precautions 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, Panola is 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. In support of our students' success, Panola College has been awarded a $125,000 grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This funding will enhance our college readiness and student success initiatives, including the expansion of our Texas Success Initiative boot camp program. The grant also supports a scholarship program that uses Multiple Measures Assessment to help students enroll in credit-level courses, considering factors like high school performance for a more holistic path to college readiness. Our commitment to student success is evident in our record-breaking enrollment numbers. For the Spring 2025 semester, Panola College achieved a historic milestone with 2,573 students enrolled, the highest spring enrollment in our 78-year history. This growth reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as our efforts to enhance educational offerings and support services. In community support news, H-E-B Grocery Company has generously donated $6,000 to Panola College's emergency aid program. Established in 2021, this program assists students facing unexpected emergencies that could hinder their education. The funds will help provide aid for needs such as gas, medical expenses, food, clothing, and transportation issues, ensuring that our students can continue their academic journeys without undue hardship. On the partnership front, Panola College has signed an articulation agreement with Texas A&M University-Texarkana. This agreement establishes clear pathways for our graduates in business administration and education to seamlessly continue their education toward bachelor's degrees. Additionally, full-time Panola College employees now have access to significant tuition discounts on coursework at A&M-Texarkana, promoting continuous professional development within our community. Similarly, we've partnered with Stephen F. Austin State University through the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance. This alliance offers our students guaranteed admission, scholarships, and enhanced services at SFA, facilitating a smoother transition for those pursuing four-year degrees. Benefits include automatic consideration for SFA’s Purple Promise program, increased transferable hours, and opportunities to connect with other transfer students. In campus development news, construction continues on our new technology building at the Carthage campus. The $14.9 million project includes 32,000 square feet of indoor space and a 25,000 square foot working yard, housing facilities for our technical and trades programs. Despite some weather-related delays, the project is progressing, with completion now expected in June 2024. Lastly, Panola College is collaborating with the UT Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy through the Early Assurance Program. This partnership provides our students interested in pharmacy careers with guidance, faculty interactions, and a streamlined path to the College of Pharmacy. Each participating school has four to five seats in the program, allowing students to apply early and receive support throughout their educational journey. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening at Panola College. Have a great day!