Rachael Payne appointed Vice President of Fiscal Services

Panola College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachael Payne as the new Vice President of Fiscal Services, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience in public and governmental accounting.

“We are excited to welcome Rachael Payne to Panola College in this vital leadership role,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, President of Panola College. “Rachael’s deep roots in our community, combined with her exceptional expertise in fiscal management and auditing, make her uniquely qualified to lead our financial operations.”

A Panola College alumna, Payne went on to earn her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Professional Accountancy from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a respected member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Texas Society of CPAs, and the Government Audit Quality Center.

For the past 18 years, Payne co-owned – and at the time of her hiring, solely owned – a successful public accounting practice in Carthage. Her practice focused on governmental accounting and auditing, offering her a comprehensive understanding of the financial operations of public entities.

In her new role, which she will begin on June 2, Payne will oversee the College’s fiscal operations, including budgeting, financial planning, reporting, auditing, and compliance.

“It is an honor to accept the position of Vice President of Fiscal Services, and I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Panola College community and for the trust placed in me by Dr. Pace and the Board of Trustees,” said Payne. “I am committed to continuing the strong financial leadership provided by Mr. Alan Howard, and I look forward to contributing to the College’s continued success.”