Panola College
June 25, 2024 - Panola College is thrilled to announce the appointment of Joanna Huckabee as the new Director of Institutional Advancement. Huckabee brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the community and institution, having started her educational journey at the College as a dual credit student while attending Center High School.
“We are delighted to welcome Joanna Huckabee to Panola College,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, Panola College President. “Her diverse experience, exceptional leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to education make her the perfect fit for this role. I am confident that she will excel and bring innovative ideas to our advancement efforts.”
Huckabee graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television with a concentration in news in 2008 and later earned her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2014.
Huckabee has taught at Carthage I.S.D. and Center I.S.D., where she developed her skills in education and leadership. She spent six years as Director of Media and Broadcast at Carthage where she oversaw the broadcast journalism department at Carthage High School. Following her teaching career, she joined Nevco Sports, where she managed the Northeast Texas territory and was responsible for significant sales and marketing tasks. Her notable achievements at Nevco Sports included exceeding sales quotas each year and being recognized as Newcomer of the Year.
Most recently, Huckabee served as Director of Technology at Tenaha I.S.D. In this role, she wore multiple hats, including Classroom Career and Technology Teacher, Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media, Yearbook Advisor, and Technology Director. Her work in these capacities was marked by her exceptional ability to manage complex projects, create engaging content, and lead diverse teams. Her skills and hard work also earned her the Tenaha I.S.D. Secondary Teacher of the Year award during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years, as well as the Shelby County Secondary Teacher of the Year award during the 2022-2023 year.
Her extensive list of licenses, certifications, and registrations includes being a Certified Final Cut Pro Video Editor, FAA Part 107 Unmanned Aviation Pilot, Certified Drone Educator and Instructor, and holding several Texas Education Agency certifications.
In addition to her professional achievements, Huckabee is an active member of the community. She has served on various boards and committees, including Miss Rodeo USA Board of Directors, East Texas Poultry Festival Pageant Director and Board Member, and Campus Security and Safety Committee at Tenaha.
Huckabee and her husband reside in Panola County with their two children, Hadlee and Reese. They are members of Still Waters Cowboy Church in Carthage.
Panola College is confident that Huckabee’s dynamic background and passion for education and community involvement will significantly contribute to the College’s mission and continued growth.
“Returning to Panola College in this capacity is both an honor and a homecoming for me,” said Huckabee. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to further the College's mission and support our students, faculty, and the broader community.”
June 10, 2024 - Panola College has announced the summer camps taking place in Shelby County. The camps and dates are listed below. Registration is now open at https://bit.ly/4buewbS. Select, KIDSCAMPC, to Shine Bright at Panola Center Campus at 678 Roughrider Drive. The other option, KIDSCAMP, is for camps offered at the Carthage Campus location.
- Sew Fun Fashion Frenzy (Ages 6-12) June 12 at 12-3pm
- Kids in the Kitchen (Ages 6-9) June 13 at 8-11am
- Kids in the Kitchen (Ages 10-15) June 13 at 12-3pm
- Fishing Friday (Ages 7-15) June 14 at 8-11am
May 23, 2024 - Panola College officially opened its new Matthews Foundation Energy Building on May 22, 2024, with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. Beginning this fall, students in the School of Energy will be the first to experience the new state-of-the-art facility and all that it has to offer.
“It is very exciting that the new Matthews Foundation Energy Building is now open, and we would like to express our appreciation to the Board of Trustees for approving this project,” said Dr. Greg Powell, Panola College president. “This will help us provide opportunities for people to acquire skills that will lead to high paying jobs in our area.”
Construction of the facility officially began in January 2023. The Board of Trustees voted the following month to name the building the Matthews Foundation Energy Building in honor of the Charles C. Matthews Foundation’s ongoing support and 1 million-dollar donation toward construction of the building.
Approximately 30,000 square feet with an additional 25,000 square feet of outdoor workspace, the building features six dedicated labs on the north wing and two on the west wing, with a classroom attached to each lab. Additionally, each lab features a garage-style door that leads into a covered concrete working space and large gravel yard.
The Enterprise Products North Wing will feature labs for instrumentation, commercial wiring, electric and motor control, HVAC, hydraulics, and a flexible lab that contains an immersive projection room. The west wing will feature labs for welding and natural gas compression and engine technology.
The facility also features an immersive interactive technology lab. The lab, which is supported by a grant through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, will virtually bring industry sites into the classroom, giving students a more effective and versatile learning experience.
“We would like to thank the Charles C. Matthews Foundation for its generous support, as well as Enterprise Products, Corgan, and Jacobe Brothers Construction,” continued Powell. “We are grateful that so many are here today to celebrate this incredible achievement in the history of Panola College.”
The ribbon was cut by Powell, who was surrounded by the Board of Trustees, the Charles C. Matthews Foundation, representatives from the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, faculty and staff members, and individuals from the community.
May 21, 2024 - Panola College has announced the summer camps taking place in Shelby County. The camps and dates are listed below. Registration is now open at https://bit.ly/4buewbS. Select, KIDSCAMPC, to Shine Bright at Panola Center Campus 2024 Summer. The other option, KIDSCAMP, is for camps offered at the Carthage Campus location.
- Fashion Frenzy (Ages 10-15) June 12 at 10am
- Fashion Frenzy (Ages 6-9) June 12 at 8am
- Fishing Friday (Ages 7-15) June 14 at 8am
- Kids in the Kitchen (Ages 10-15) June 13 at 10am
- Kids in the Kitchen (Ages 6-9) June 13 at 8am
- Sew Fun (Ages 10-15) June 11 at 12 noon
- Sew Fun (Ages 6-9) June 11 at 8am
May 16, 2024 - Panola College is proud to announce the students named to the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the Spring 2024 semester.
To qualify for the President’s List, students must complete the semester with a GPA between 3.8 and 4.0 with a minimum of 12 semester credit hours. Only courses applying toward an associate degree or certificate are included in the computation.
The Spring 2024 President’s List is as follows:
Alvin - Marielena Rangel-Mandujano
Arlington - Paige Taylor
Austin - Liam Richards
Beckville - Calan Castles, Maggie Davidson, Paola Hernandez, Haley Hester, Dalton Millican, Daniel Moore, Kacy Navarrette
Bedford - Terri Matthews
Bethany, La. - Maelena Reddy
Brenham - Jacob Mabie
Calhoun, Ga. - Mackenzie Henson
Carthage - Collin Billiott, Abigail Cawthon, Shirley Cox, Dillon Davenport, Kendall Fant, Addison Glaze, Mason Harrison, Katelynn Kruebbe, Rachel Monroe, Paulina Ortiz, Megan Parrack, Kylee Ritchie, Gabrielle Sapp, Makenzie Strickland, Kelsey Swift, Kaitlyn Taylor, Jaquelyn Travis, Sixt Von Kapff, Brooke Whitaker, Harrison Whitlock, Tiffanie Wiggins, Ella Wolfe
Center - Estefani Alpuche-Tiquet, Cassie Baylor, Abigail Chavez, Shelby Choate, Taylor Davis, Alondra Dominguez Hernandez, Evea Glasson, David Howard, Macey McSwain, Ler Moo, Mariah Nash, Micah Pickett, Rileigh Powell, Emilie Rojas, Tara Sires, Elizabeth Spruiell, Nicole White
Covington, Ga. - Etaria Gibbons
Cushing - Randi Beasley
DeBerry - Hailey Carr, Taylor Marshall, Brealyn Mosby, Faith Harris
Diana - Kylie Goodson
Douglass - Cheyann Hobson
Edmond, Okla. - Camden Chalfant
Garrison - Allyson Bocanegra
Gary - Cody Baugher, Zane Bush, Izabelle Cadena
Grandview - Elizabeth Webb
Greenwood, La. - Shatoya Jackson
Henderson - Rebecca Del Angel, Emily Scogin, Callie Whalen
Joaquin - Latisha Cummings, Kelley Fountain, Lani Kendrick, Kannon Rogers, Kyrstyn Shires
Karnack - Leanna Garrett, Micheala Latham
Kennard - Kessa Nichols
Keroka - Polycarp Michira
Kilgore - Matthew Huey
Kirkwood, Mo. - Elizabeth Nagudi
Lagos - Timileyin Sofola
Laneville - Jacey Ross
Laurel, Md. - Tamilore Sofola, Tunmise Sofola
Liberty - Katrina Tran
Logansport, La. - Melissa Monroy
Longview - Aidan Almeida, Kynlie Hooper, Chanireya Jones
Magnolia - Nathan Love
Manvel - Samual Simmons
Marshall - Avalynn Angeles, Perla Barrales, Joshua Beasley, Chance Commander, Andres Cornejo, Yanireth Martinez, Eric McCulloh, Ariyana Nightingale, Ryan Robbins, Rebeca Schmidt, Andrew Selph, Rylie Staton, Caitlyn Theron, Joana Vences, Mara Vernon, Larry Watts, Destiny Williams
Milam - Lindsay Gregory
Nacogdoches - Pricsilla Castillo, Ashley Chavez, David Garcia, Lindsay Self, Christopher Wheeler
Plantation, Fla. - Taja Stephens
Port Neches - Thomas Reinholt
Portland - Alexa Vest
San Augustine - Dacey Coleman, William Pay
Sango Ota - Monica Uba
Shelbyville - Amanda Burrows, Clayton Dean, Dakota Jones, Kendall Murry
Shomolu - Daniel Chukwusili
Tatum - Jasmin Gonzalez, Lily Luna
Tenaha - Renee Gomez, Gracie Knight, Arturo Rico
Timpson - Madison Parry, Ashton Raines, Shamaka Whitton
Victoria - Andrew Rivera
Waskom - Felipe Castillo, Ridge Riley
White Oak - Alyssa Brewer
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must complete the semester with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.79 with a minimum of 12 semester credit hours. Only courses applying toward an associate degree or certificate are included in the computation.
The Spring 2024 Dean’s List is as follows:
Alvin - William Boyd
Amsterdam - Luca Pastor
Avinger - Alyssa Hicks
Beckville - Mya Davis, Kaylii Fuller, Heather Hamilton, Savanah Johns, Hector Rivera,
Broaddus - Hollie Davis
Bronson - Cooper Bice, Haley Burr, Varinia Parrish
Brookeland - Sara Mott
Carthage - Eden Andrews, Valerie Bailey, Luis Cadena, Wendy Campos, Jackson Curry, Melissa Garcia, Meilin Guo, Marissa Harrison, Kourtney Lanham, Benicio Leons, Cristian Lopez, Torey Mclemore, Alyssa Parker, Emilee Cherokee Patton, Clayton Peters, Cady Ritter, Raphael Smeenk, Johnathen Staples, Kendal Tinkle, Miquel Willem
Center - Daniela Angel, Jason Arcibar, Kelly Bridges, Dianna Camacho, Kenia Chavez, Lizbeth Chavez, Haven Heiman, Haley Hooks, Jordyn Morris, Alexia Pineda, Samuel Pless, Hector Ramirez, Alfredo Sedano, Alexis Truitt, Victoria Warren, Breanna Windham
Centerville - Jordan Dildine
Colfax, La. - Anna Williams
DeBerry - Amber Byerly, McKinna Chamness, Kennon Pruiett, Bailey Smith, Mercedes Tridle
Donaldsonville, La. - Janae Southall
Douglass - Braylin Tessitore
Garrison - Camden Curbow, Cody Patterson, Susana Tapia
Gary - Danielle Harrison, Macy Oliver, Makayla Woodfin
Gilmer - Easton Ballard, Doria Prum
Hallsville - Dustin Gonzalez
Hanover Park, Ill. - Dejuante Wilson
Harleton - Hannah Adams, Chloe Copeland
Hemphill - Chasidy Ozan
Henderson - Hailey Allison, Miranda Moore
Houston - Lauren Beathley
Ikorodu - Chimeremeze Anumiheoma
Jefferson - Amy Duncan, Kylee McGregor, Asher Phillips
Joaquin - Brandi Arnold, Ryleigh Cheatwood, Brianna Jackson, Lauren Neal, Joyce Permenter
Kilgore - Keasya Polk
Lake Charles, La. - Aidan Welsh
Laurel, Md. - Tofunmi Sofola
Logansport, La. - Shasta Gamble
Lone Star - Kadynce Matthew
Longview - Lachyance Baker, Tori Feuchtenberger, Jaydah Griffin, Evelyn Jackson, Preston Lebrun, Mikeyla McCray, Shandi Mooty, Jakayla Morrow, Brody Slaten, Christi Thompson
Marshall - Alexus Cotton, Charles Davis, Lexie Everett, Savannah Foster, Sophia Gomez, Tanner Harmening, Jakayla Lilly, Kenleigh Lindemann, Anastacia Living, Brendan Loveless, Daisy Luna, Matney May, Eric Montes, Yanet Salazar, Mariah Washington, Baylee Wehmeyer,
Mount Enterprise - Abigail Dennis-Bishop
Nacogdoches - Asher Davis, Claudia Martinez, Taylor Tillis, Na'Kaylyn Wells
Oak Grove, La. - Meadow Raymond
Pineland - Myranda Estes
San Augustine - Jaclyn Long
Shelbyville - Lane Loggins, Madison Taylor
Shreveport, La. - Morganne Stokes
Spring - Dillon Staples
Springhill, La. - Demetria Moning
Surprise, Ariz. - Hannah Young
Tatum - Aidan Anthony, Eric Bondurant, Caitlyn Courtney, Samantha Hall
Tenaha - Jennifer Diaz-Pacheco, Molly Scull
Timpson - Dylan Branton
Waskom - Cameron Fontenot, Riley Otwell, Pepper White
May 14, 2024 - Panola College is proud to offer a variety of exciting summer camps this year for kids ages five and over. From art to sports, these camps are designed to provide kids with an opportunity to learn new skills while having fun.
Summer camps at the Carthage Campus being offered this year include:
- Baseball – June 3 to 5
- Fillies Basketball – June 3 to 5
- Gaming Camp – June 3 to 6
- Volleyball – June 10 to 12 (Register by May 31)
- Crafty Kids – June 17, 18, and 20
- Kids in the Kitchen – June 17, 18, and 20
- Charm Camp – June 18 to 20, July 16 to 18
- Charm Quest – June 21, July 19
- Cotillion – June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21 (Cotillion Ball – July 28)
- Digital Media – June 24 to 26
- Mad Scientists – June 24 to 26
- Ponies Basketball – June 25 to 27
- Camp 911 – July 2
- Art Adventure – July 8 to 10
- Bakeology – July 8 to 10
- Robotics – July 22 to 24
- Glam Camp – July 25
- Theater – July 29 to August 2
- Fit Kid Fridays – Fridays in June and July
Visit panola.edu/community and click on the “Summer Camps for Kids” tab to learn more and register today. Contact the Department of Workforce and Continuing Education with any additional questions by calling 903-693-2067 or emailing ce@panola.edu.
May 13, 2024 - Panola College welding technology hosted a high school welding competition on May 2 at the Shelby Regional Training Center location in Center.
“Our goal is for these high school students to become better involved in welding technology,” said Clint Cassell, instructor of welding technology at Panola College. “This competition is an opportunity for students to compete against other students their age and to improve on skills that are essential in the welding field.”
Juan Valero of Stanley, La. received first place, Stevie Holloway of Logansport, La. received second place, Emmanual Juarez of Carthage received third place, and Landon Carter of Logansport, La. received fourth place.
Valero and Holloway both received scholarships to Panola College for placing first and second in the competition.
May 8, 2024 - Panola College is proud to announce the Academic Excellence Award recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Academic Excellence Awards were created by Charles Moore, a math professor at Panola College for many years. Moore’s goal was to acknowledge students who excelled academically and recognize them with an award for their accomplishments.
Each department or field of study nominates students who meet select criteria. The student must have or be completing 30 hours of coursework and be enrolled in two courses relating to the field in which they are nominated.
The recipients of the 2023-2024 Academic Excellence Awards are listed below, followed by the field of study in which they are nominated and their professor.
- Abigail Cawthon, Vocal, Sandra Bauer
- Abigail Smith, Associate Degree Nursing, Dr. Kristi Burns
- Amber Loven, History, Bill Offer
- Ariana Grimes, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Julie Green
- Ashlyn Groce, Criminal Justice, Mark Dickerson
- Britney Vargas, Medical Assistant, Jeffry Oney
- Camryn Lovell, Criminal Justice, Mark Dickerson
- Cassie Belrose, Education, Education Department
- Ella Wolfe, Mathematics, Emily Zabcik
- Gabrielle Perez, Biology, Corey Johnson
- Gerardo Salgado, Medical Laboratory Technology, Kim Bishop
- Haley Luna, Associate Degree Nursing, Lisa Miller
- Jackson Shearin, Government, Brian Naples
- Kaci Huff, General Business, Dwayne Ferguson
- Kadynce Matthew, Theatre, Kim Funderburk
- Kathryn Davis, Office Professional, Dwayne Ferguson
- Kendall Fant, History, Bill Offer
- Landon Story, Business Administration and Management, Dwayne Ferguson
- Lauren Neal, Education, Education Department
- Micah Gilbreath, Medical Laboratory Technology, Antiquene Nichols
- Rachael Monroe, Government, Brian Naples
- Reagan Harrison, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Julie Green
- Shelda Sparks, Health Information Technology, Rachel Weekly
- Sixt Titus Von Kapff, English, Tammy Mothershed
- Timileyin Sofola, Biology, Darrell Hudson
- Wendy Garza, Medical Assistant, Jeffry Oney
May 1, 2024 - Panola College invites the community to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Matthews Foundation Energy Building, taking place on Wednesday, May 22, at 10am.
The new facility, which is approximately 30,000 square feet with an additional 25,000 square feet of outdoor workspace, features eight labs with a classroom attached to each one. Additionally, each lab will feature a garage-style door that leads to a covered concrete work space and large gravel yard.
Students will get to experience the building and all that it has to offer beginning this fall. Please join us in celebrating the grand opening of the Matthews Foundation Energy Building!
April 25, 2024 - The Panola College Alumni Association is proud to announce Don Fallin as its Alumnus of the Year and Dr. Aaron Boyce as its Young Alumnus of the Year, with both recipients scheduled to speak at the May 9 commencement ceremonies.
“The Alumni of the Year awards recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in their careers and have made significant contributions to their communities,” said Heath Kruebbe, Alumni Association chair. “We are very proud to honor Don Fallin and Dr. Aaron Boyce this year, and are looking forward to welcoming them back to campus in May.”
Don Fallin, who attended Panola College from 1977 to 1979 and was part of the cheerleading squad, is currently the superintendent at Tenaha ISD. His career in education began in the classrooms of several East Texas public school districts, including Carthage, Shelbyville, and Tenaha, where he taught English and coached football and basketball from 1980 to 1993.
In the fall of 1993, Fallin moved to the administrative ranks and served as the high school principal at Beckville ISD for seven years. During his time at Beckville, he was recognized by the Region VII Education Service Center as Principal of the Year in 1997-1998.
Following his time at Beckville, Fallin led Gladewater High School as principal for five years, until he made the ultimate move in 2005 to become the superintendent at Tenaha ISD. From 2005 until his first retirement in 2012, he was truly a pioneer in educational leadership, seeing enrollment boom during his tenure as superintendent, passing a bond that constructed one of the most recognizable high schools in East Texas, along with a special events center that would rival some colleges.
Fallin sincerely cared for his staff and saw the need to recognize those who were excelling in the classroom by using performance-based pay raises long before the State of Texas put in place official programs and grants that we are now familiar with. Because of this innovative and creative incentive plan, Tenaha ISD saw state assessment scores rise from well below expectations to over 90% in every tested subject area before his retirement. Additionally, he brought dual credit programs to both Beckville and Gladewater before high schools typically had them.
In 2012, Fallin made the decision to retire and moved to Lubbock with his wife Debbie. It wasn’t long before East Texas called him home to Tyler, where he and Debbie now reside. This time, however, it was not education calling, it was his favorite title of “Papa” that would consume his evenings and weekends, spending them with his two grandsons, Crosby and Lincoln.
However, in 2022, Tenaha ISD would come calling one last time. Fallin has spent the last two years working to rebuild a culture of excellence that was the cornerstone of his first tenure.
As Fallin leaves in December to return his focus to family, Kent Fallin and wife Megan, Kelly Fallin, and his wife Debbie, he can rest assured that he has left a remarkable legacy in not only Tenaha, but all across East Texas.
Fallin recalls fond memories of traveling with the cheerleading squad to the National Championship basketball tournament and seeing the girls win not only one, but two championships. He vividly remembers the final seconds of those games and seasons that led them to victory.
Additionally, Fallin attributes his passion for education and desire to make a difference in schools to the incredible professors he had while attending Panola College. His interactions with Mrs. Gullette, Dr. Foss, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Bill O’Neal had more of a lasting impact on his life than they could ever know. He recalls how O’Neal brought U.S. History to life with his engaging lessons, complete with people dressed as characters or events they were studying. The compassion, energy, and kindness those professors demonstrated truly changed the course of his future and modeled the type of educator he has strived to be throughout his career.
“I often found myself wondering why or how someone could continue to care and provide opportunities for students like himself, who were not always easy to handle; however, looking back, I only remember that they never gave up on me,” said Fallin. “It was because of these individuals that I left Panola College with no question as to what I would pursue in the future.”
Dr. Aaron Boyce, who was raised in Carthage and graduated from Carthage High School in 2003 and attended Panola College from 2003 to 2006, is currently a forensic psychologist at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, where he conducts forensic evaluations for the Harris County criminal courts.
While at Panola College, Dr. Boyce studied music and earned an associate degree. After graduating from the College, he attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2008. He earned a master’s degree in counseling at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2010, and a Ph.D. in school psychology at the University of Houston in 2015. He completed his pre-doctoral internship in Omaha, Neb. at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Dr. Boyce is a licensed psychologist and licensed specialist in school psychology. He has been employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community mental health agencies, and school districts.
Dr. Boyce currently resides in Cypress, Texas, and is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Lisa. He has a 5-year-old daughter, Aria, who will be completing kindergarten soon. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, painting, singing, playing guitar at church, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
“My favorite memories of my time at Panola College was spending time in the band hall or choir room, learning how to use music software with Mr. McGowan or singing tenor parts for an upcoming choir production,” said Dr. Boyce. “I also have fond memories at the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) building, playing pool, eating meals, and studying with friends.”
Kruebbe will present Fallin and Dr. Boyce with individual awards on May 9 at the spring commencement ceremonies.
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