Panola earns tech-savvy
honors
Longview News
Journal
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Panola College is home of the Ponies, so it is fitting for the school to take the reins of another title: most tech-savvy.
The Folsom, Calif.-based Center for Digital Education - a higher education technology survey and research firm - recently named Panola College the fourth-most tech savvy junior college among small junior colleges with less than 3,000 students. Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Ill., was named the most tech savvy small college in the nation, followed by Central Wyoming College in Riverton, Wyo.; and Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington, Minn.
It's the fourth year Panola College has been ranked in the national survey. Panola College is the only school in Texas to be ranked this year.
Ann Morris , Panola College dean of distance education and Web master, said the center examined various areas of the college's technology program, including online admissions, student access to transcripts and grades, information security, campus security alerts and online library capabilities. She said the ranking demonstrates Panola College is moving into the 21st century.
"The national ranking reflects the quality of services we offer and reflects the dedication of our (information technology) department," Morris said.
Morris said more than 120 online courses are offered at Panola College, that's up from 67 online courses in 2007.
She added the college also offers degrees online which include nursing, teaching aide and applied science degrees in general business, office system technology and computer information systems.
Gregory Powell , president of Panola College, said Internet access was also important in the ranking.
"Students can access our wireless Internet while sitting outside, in their dorm or in the student center," Powell said. "We are very committed to technology at this institution and staying up to date. We are very proud of this ranking."
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