Panola College announces major campus expansion with two new facilities
The Panola College Board of Trustees met for a special-called board meeting on May 12 and approved a guaranteed maximum price for two transformational campus construction projects that will expand academic opportunities, strengthen workforce training, and enhance the student experience. The buildings will complement a new campus fiber infrastructure project, which the Board approved in February and is already underway.
The guaranteed maximum price for the two construction projects is $19,056,506, with a total GMP of $19,885,425, including the previously approved fiber project GMP.
At a time when Panola College continues its commitment to affordability by holding tuition and fees steady while expanding scholarships, grants, and programs such as the Panola Promise, the College is also making an investment in the future of its students and the regional workforce.
“These projects represent a significant investment by our Board of Trustees in the future of Panola College, our students, and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, President of Panola College. “As we continue working to remove barriers for students, we are also expanding opportunities through workforce training, technology, and new programs.”
Gateway Center
The Gateway Center will be a 25,000 square foot, two-story facility located on the west side of campus near Bird Drive. It will bring the College’s workforce and continuing education programs currently housed across the street in the W.C. Smith building onto the main campus, creating a more connected and accessible student experience. The building will serve as the hub for workforce and continuing education, cosmetology, social and behavioral sciences, and additional academic programming.
Designed to support short-term credentials and workforce pathways, the facility will house programs including Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), EKG Technician, Patient Care Technician, Dental Assisting, and Phlebotomy Technician. Flexible classrooms and lab spaces will support evolving regional workforce needs, while dedicated cosmetology instructional areas will include a salon laboratory, modern esthetician room, classroom space, and nail technician training room that all mirror professional industry settings.
The building will also accommodate future academic offerings, including proposed Social Work degree and Mental Health Behavioral Technician programs that are currently pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT)
The Center for Innovation and Technology will be an almost 19,000 square foot, two-story facility located on the east side of campus near the Frances B. Ross Music Building.
The CIT will support the future launch of associate degrees in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science, following recent approval by the Board of Trustees to begin development of the new programs.
Reflecting its focus on innovation, the CIT will feature a state-of-the-art computer lab, student collaboration areas, an interactive learning lab, and a makerspace equipped for applied learning and creativity. Students and faculty will have access to advanced instructional technology like CAD software, virtual reality equipment, advanced 3D printers, and other active learning technologies. The center will also house a centralized testing center designed to streamline services and improve accessibility for students, along with the College’s digital learning and information technology departments.
Panola College’s varsity eSports program will also find its new home in the CIT, featuring a dedicated arena with an operable wall that allows the space to expand for competitions and events.
As recently highlighted in the Houston Chronicle for its commitment to aligning education with regional workforce demands, Panola College continues to invest in innovative learning environments and workforce-driven opportunities for students.
“These facilities will provide students with innovative, hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare them for high-demand careers in our region,” said Natalie Oswalt, Vice President of Instruction at Panola College. “These projects reflect the College’s commitment to active learning, innovation, and student success.”
Together, the projects reflect the vision and leadership of the Board of Trustees and the College’s ongoing investment in student success, workforce development, and innovation.
Architectural design for both facilities is being led by Corgan, with construction services provided by Jacobe Brothers Construction.