Panola College
April 3, 2025 - Panola College, in collaboration with the Carthage Music Club, is pleased to announce a faculty instrumental recital on April 8 at 7pm in the Murphy Payne Room of the M.P. Baker Library.
The recital will showcase a dynamic and diverse selection of music, ranging from the poetic and virtuosic works of Chopin to the humor of Plog’s Animal Ditties and the lively energy of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Allegro vivace. The performance promises to take the audience on a musical journey, with each piece offering a unique story that highlights beauty, expression, and imagination.
The lineup will feature James Bogs on trumpet, Dwaine Hubbard on trombone, and Lydia Lim on piano, bringing each piece of music to life with skill and passion. This performance is free and open to the public to attend.
March 20, 2025 - The Panola College drama department delivered two exceptional performances at the 2025 Texas Community College Speech and Theatre Association (TCCSTA) Playfest, securing over 35 awards for their outstanding productions of Dirt and The Sweet Science of Bruising.
Kim Funderburk, professor of theatre at Panola College, expressed her pride in the achievements, saying, “I am thrilled with the recognition our talented students received at this year’s Playfest. They devoted countless hours to perfecting their craft, and it truly paid off.”
Dirt:
Kayla Bell - Excellence in Costume Design
Dania Ramirez - Excellence in Costume Design
Allyson Bocanegra - Excellence in Lighting Design
Eddie Harris, II - Superior in Set Design, Superior in Set Construction
Kannon Rogers - Superior in Set Design, Superior in Set Construction
Justin Wilkerson - Superior in Set Design, Superior in Set Construction
Olivia Blissett - Audience Choice, Professor’s Choice, Respondent's Choice Superior in Acting
Zane Bush - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
Kendall Murry - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
Kannon Rogers - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
Laiken Steward - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
James Burgess - Respondent's Choice Superior in Acting
Ensemble - Respondent's Special Merritt Award
The Company - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Performance
The Sweet Science of Bruising:
Kayla Bell - Superior in Costume Design
Diego Porras - Superior in Costume Design
Dania Ramirez - Superior in Costume Design
Allyson Bocanegra - Excellence in Lighting Design
Lauren Beathley - Excellence in Make-up Design
Eddie Harris, II - Superior in Set Design, Superior in Set Construction
Jewel Humberson - Superior in Set Design, Superior in Set Construction
Justin Wilkerson - Superior in Set Design, Superior in Set Construction
Olivia Blissett - Audience Choice, Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
Kendall Murry - Professor’s Choice, Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
Boston Adkins - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Acting
The Company - Respondent's Choice Excellence in Performance
March 7, 2025 - Panola College is excited to announce a special drone light show on March 27. Sponsored by the B.F. and Mary Payne Fund for the Preservation of Texas Culture, the event will begin with a pre-show at 5:30 p.m., featuring a variety of food trucks and live music by the cover band Spjork. Additional performances by the College’s band and the Panola Pipers singing group will also take place before the main event.
The main drone show, set for 8 p.m., will be held in front of the Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student Center. Sky Elements, which ranked third in the America's Got Talent finale in 2024, has specially designed the performance to reflect the spirit of both Panola College and the surrounding community.
“We are thrilled to partner with Sky Elements to bring this spectacular show to our College and our community,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, Panola College president. “A special thanks to the B.F. and Mary Payne Fund for the Preservation of Texas Culture for sponsoring this unforgettable event.”
This free event is open to all, and the College encourages attendees to bring chairs or blankets to sit on during the show. Due to limited parking, guests are advised to arrive early to ensure a spot.
For more information about Sky Elements, visit skyelementsdrones.com.
February 25, 2025 - Panola College has been awarded a $125,000 College Readiness and Success Models Grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This grant, which follows a $100,000 award, will continue through August 2026 and support the College’s ongoing efforts to improve developmental education reforms and implement innovative initiatives aimed at increasing student success.
With the grant, the College has expanded its Texas Success Initiative (TSI) boot camp program to offer both an online Zoom format, which will launch in April 2025, and a self-paced option, allowing students to prepare for the TSI at their own pace. The boot camps, which cover key content areas to address knowledge gaps before taking the test, are free for participants, with a re-test available within seven days.
The grant also funds a scholarship program that uses Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA) to support students’ enrollment in credit-level courses. By considering high school performance and other factors, MMA gives students a more holistic path to college readiness and academic success.
To further enhance student success, the College’s tutoring lab has been rebranded as the Resource Center, expanding its services to offer more comprehensive academic and student support. Additionally, the grant supports faculty professional development in student support strategies.
These initiatives are already making a significant impact by helping students progress more quickly to college-level coursework and improving access to essential academic resources.
Thanks to the previous grant’s use of the Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA) for placement, the College has seen impressive success rates. In Fall 2024, 73% of students who were initially TSI Incomplete in Math but placed into credit-level courses via MMA earned a C or better. Similarly, 85% of students who were TSI Incomplete in English and placed through MMA achieved a C or better in their credit-level English courses.
In Fall 2024, the Resource Center assisted 190 students through online tutoring and 80 in person. For Spring 2025, its hours and services have been expanded to provide even more support to students.
“At Panola College, we’re committed to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for our students,” said Emily Zabcik, lead grant writer. “This grant has allowed us to provide targeted support, ensuring more students are able to succeed in their academic journeys.”
February 24, 2025 - Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering Zumba and Yoga classes. Our next session is right around the corner. Come join the fun. Enroll now!!!
March 3 – April 16
Zumba – Mondays and Wednesdays – 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
March 3 – April 16
Yoga – Mondays and Wednesdays – 5:20 pm – 6:20 pm
The cost of each class is $60, and pre-registration is required. For information and to register, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email: tmccann@panola.edu.
Panola College is an Equal Opportunity Institution that provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.
February 20, 2025 - Panola College is proud to announce the Dan L Duncan Shelby County Promise Program, offering eligible Shelby County high school students a scholarship to pay the costs of tuition and fees at Panola College for up to three years after high school graduation. The Promise Program, which will begin in August 2025, was designed to eliminate financial barriers that students may face in attending college, helping them to earn a degree or certificate, or to facilitate a transfer to a university.
“We are excited to bring the Promise Program to Shelby County, knowing it will have a lasting impact on Shelby County students for years to come,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, president of Panola College. “The Promise Program is designed to empower students to pursue their education without the burden of financial worries. We remain dedicated to creating opportunities for success in our communities.”
To qualify for the Promise Program, Shelby County students must (i) sign the promise pledge by November 30 of their sophomore year, (ii) complete 25 hours of volunteer service each of the three remaining years of high school, (iii) maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and (iv) submit the FAFSA and complete the Panola College general scholarship application by March 31 of their senior year.
Through the Promise Program, students are able to enroll in any academic or technical program offered by Panola College, as well as a number of workforce and continuing education programs such as certified nurse aide, dental assistant, or professional truck driving.
The program was established in Shelby County to honor the memory of Dan L Duncan, a 1949 graduate of Shelbyville High School. Mr. Duncan was a founding member of Enterprise Products, a midstream energy service provider which, under his leadership and guidance, expanded from a small operation with just two propane trucks in 1968 to a Fortune 100 midstream company.
A separate Panola County Promise Program was launched in 2023 for Panola County students. With the addition of the Dan L Duncan Shelby County Promise Program, residents of both counties will remain eligible for a promise program even if they move across county lines during their time in one of the programs.
Signing the promise pledge is an opportunity to receive a promise program scholarship, not a commitment to attend Panola College. The program provides a scholarship that is last-pay, covering tuition and fees not already covered by institutional scholarships or federal and state grants. Students in the program will have a zero-balance for their tuition and fees.
To learn more about the Dan L Duncan Shelby County Promise Program, visit panola.edu/promise.
February 10, 2025 - Panola College has been awarded $250,000 through the Student Success Acceleration Program 2.0 grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, a strategic initiative aimed at removing barriers that have hindered students from continuing their education and boosting student re-enrollment and credential completion.
The funding will support the Return to Earn Initiative, which was designed to help students who have left college without earning a credential return to complete their education. The program offers personalized advising, financial assistance, academic support, and a range of essential wrap-around services to ensure students succeed and achieve their academic goals.
“Student Services is thrilled to receive this grant, as it enables the College to make a meaningful impact on student success,” said Molly Skeen, director of advising at Panola College. “With these resources, we can remove financial and logistical barriers, re-engage students who have stepped away from college, and provide them with the support they need to re-enroll and complete their credentials.”
Through the grant, the College has launched the Pregnant & Parenting Student Support Program, designed to help students balance their educational goals with family responsibilities. Beginning this semester, pregnant and parenting students enrolled in academic courses will be able to apply for financial assistance to help cover childcare and transportation expenses.
“We are excited to offer financial assistance for childcare and transportation to pregnant and parenting students, helping them navigate the unique challenges of balancing family and academic responsibilities,” continued Skeen. “The College remains committed to increasing student retention, persistence, and credential completion, reinforcing its mission to empower all students through education.”
February 6, 2025 - Panola College has announced a historic milestone for the Spring 2025 semester, with a total of 2,573 students enrolled in courses. This marks the highest spring enrollment in the College’s 78-year history, surpassing the previous record of 2,464 students set in 2017.
“We are thrilled to reach this milestone in our spring enrollment, which reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, Panola College president. “As we continue to grow, we hope to continue increasing enrollment while providing an affordable education that equips our students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers and beyond.”
Over the past year, the College has made significant strides in enhancing its offerings to better serve students and the community. Notable developments include the opening of the state-of-the-art Matthews Foundation Energy Building, which provides cutting-edge facilities for energy-related programs. The College has also expanded its dual credit enrollment by adding new offerings at 19 Independent School Districts, allowing more high school students to earn college credits, degrees, and certifications. Additionally, the introduction of several new occupational skills awards has equipped students with the practical skills needed for immediate employment, further enhancing their marketability in today’s competitive job market.
The rise in enrollment highlights the College’s ongoing growth and its commitment to offering high-quality education. With a broad range of academic programs and student support services, the College continues to meet the evolving needs of its student population, empowering them to succeed and reach their full potential.
For more information about Panola College, visit www.panola.edu.
February 5, 2025 - Panola College is proud to announce that Kaleb Hathaway, a second-year band student, has been selected as the first chair trumpet player for the 2025 Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA) All-State Band. Hathaway was chosen as the top trumpet player from over 30 community colleges across the state of Texas.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be selected for All-State this year, especially because it's my first time making first chair,” Hathaway said. “I have come close during my high school years but never quite made it, so this is a big milestone for me.”
Hathaway will travel to San Antonio for a three-day rehearsal session, working with Dr. Matthew McInturf, the director of bands at Sam Houston State University. The rehearsals will culminate in a concert on February 15 for the Texas Music Educators Association, where Hathaway will join the TCCBDA Wind Symphony.
Dwaine Hubbard, director of bands at Panola College, expressed his pride in Hathaway’s accomplishment. “This is a tremendous honor for Kaleb to be selected for this prestigious group of musicians, and to be chosen as first chair is an even greater achievement. We are extremely proud of his hard work and dedication.”
Panola College, one of the founding members of the TCCBDA, has participated in the All-State process every year since its inception in 1974.
February 3, 2025 - Panola College was awarded a $255,633 Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (NSRP) grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board aimed at addressing the nursing shortage in Texas by ensuring the availability of skilled nurses able to meet public health needs.
The Associate Degree Nursing program will utilize the funds to provide a second entry point for students applying to the LVN-RN 1-year transition track. This will allow for the admission of more students into the program and offer a face-to-face learning option.
“The addition of a spring start for the track will provide an additional opportunity for students to progress their nursing education and provide an increased number of Associate Degree Nursing graduates in the East Texas area,” said Annissa Jackson, chair of nursing programs at Panola College.
The grant was coauthored by Jackson and Natalie Oswalt, dean of career and technical programs. Eligibility for the grant is based on being in good standing with the Texas Board of Nursing and increases in enrollment, graduates, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board CBM reporting system.
Learn more about the Associate Degree Nursing program at www.panola.edu/healthsciences.
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