Panola College awarded $196,000 TRUE Pathways Planning Grant to expand healthcare workforce opportunities

Panola College has been awarded a $196,000 Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Pathways Design and Planning Grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The grant will support the development of an innovative Allied Health Workforce Pathway designed to prepare more students for high-demand healthcare careers while strengthening the regional workforce.

The TRUE Grant Program helps Texas public colleges create and expand workforce education programs that lead to careers in high-demand occupations. Through this planning grant, Panola College will design a flexible, employer-informed pathway that connects existing Continuing Education healthcare programs, including Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Phlebotomy, EKG Technician, and Patient Care Technician, with future credit-bearing credentials and a planned Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

The planning process will focus on creating stackable credentials, strengthening workforce partnerships, aligning curriculum with employer needs, and developing clear pathways that allow students to quickly enter the workforce while continuing their education.

"This grant reflects Panola College's commitment to providing innovative educational opportunities that respond directly to the needs of our students, employers, and communities," said Natalie Oswalt, Vice President of Instruction. "By creating seamless pathways from workforce training to college credentials, we are opening more doors for students while helping address critical healthcare workforce shortages across East Texas."

Healthcare remains one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in the region, and local employers continue to report strong demand for trained surgical technology and allied health professionals. The planning grant positions Panola College to develop programs that respond directly to those workforce needs while expanding educational opportunities for adult learners, dual-credit students, and other nontraditional populations.

"The TRUE Grant gives us the opportunity to work alongside our healthcare partners to intentionally design programs that meet today's workforce demands and tomorrow's opportunities," said Denetra McDaniel, Director of Workforce and Continuing Education. "Our goal is to provide students with flexible, accelerated pathways that lead to meaningful careers while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need."

Upon completion of the planning process, Panola College will have developed a comprehensive roadmap for implementing an Allied Health Workforce Pathway that supports future program expansion and strengthens the healthcare talent pipeline throughout its service area.

This project is funded through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Grant Program, an initiative that supports innovative workforce education designed to prepare Texans for high-demand careers.