Statement of Vision

Panola College aspires to be a transformative educational leader committed to student success, excellence in instructional programs, student services, and community engagement.

Statement of Values

• Commitment to learning: We believe in the importance of lifelong learning and will teach all students to obtain, to evaluate and to use information.
• Commitment to citizenship: We are committed to improving the human condition through learning, and we strive to be a model for individuals of the community.
• Commitment to opportunity: We believe the College should ensure that all individuals have access to the programs, services, and resources needed to achieve their educational goals.
• Commitment to the concept of global community: We will cultivate in our students an understanding of the people of all cultures of the world.
• Commitment to fiscal responsibility: We believe in fulfilling the College's mission and its obligations to its students, faculty, staff, and community at-large with policies that ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Commitment to faculty and staff: We recognize the importance and contribution of all individuals who collectively create a learning environment and believe that all members of the college community should have the opportunity to obtain purposeful, gratifying, and productive lives.
• Commitment to a quality campus environment: We recognize the importance of providing a work and learning environment which is characterized by integrity, clear communications, open exchange of ideas, involvement in decision making, and respect for all individuals.

Statement of Mission

Panola College empowers students to achieve their goals. We are committed to providing affordable, high-quality academic transfer, career-focused programs, and continuing education opportunities. We prepare learners through community partnerships, workforce and technical skills training, and wraparound support services to strengthen student success and enrich their lives.

"The future looks bright, and Panola Junior College is eagerly looking forward to the years to come." - The Pony Express (February 9, 1949)

In just more than 65 years, Panola College has grown in both size and in the scope of its services offered to its students and its community. The school, which was established in 1947, was created to provide young people with the opportunity to earn the first two years of a traditional baccalaureate. The services the College offers have expanded greatly to meet community needs, providing a wide range of educational and training opportunities to citizens of all ages.

The College began operating temporary buildings before the first two permanent buildings were erected in 1949. A 35-acre campus at the junction of Texas state Highway 315 and U.S. 79 in Carthage has been the school's home since its inception. There are now nineteen permanent buildings with more than 135 acres available for expansion in the coming century.

In addition to a comprehensive community college in Carthage, the school offers a variety of instructional opportunities in a four-county service area including Harrison, Marion, and Shelby counties. These three counties became part of the college's official service area by legislative act in 1995.

Enrollment at the College has grown from fewer than 100 students at the first registration in January of 1948 to over 2,600. The College provides many services which enrich the lives of individuals in the region.

In 1998 Panola College requested authority to offer distance learning classes and presently offers several distance learning degrees.

Since 2000 enrollment at Panola College has grown by more than 89 percent. Today, more than 2,700 credit students and 1,400 Workforce and Continuing Education students are enrolled in one of 56 programs of study offered through Panola College.

During the regular meeting of the Panola College Board, the trustees, in a unanimous vote, approved calling for a bond election to be held May 11, 2013. The bond passed with an overwhelming 84 percent of voters’ support.

The College’s original 35-acre campus has expanded to 48 acres through the purchase of property east and contiguous to the original campus.

Completed and ongoing construction and renovation projects include the following:

• M.P. Baker Library renovation and expansion
• New student apartments (160 additional beds) constructed
• Arthur Johnson Gymnasium renovated
• Added Frances B. Ross Millennium Clock Tower, water fountain with 1.5 size bronze Pony statue, 15 ton Floating Granite Fountain
• Roy Monk Building renovated
• Dr. Greg S. Powell Science Center constructed
• Charles C. Matthews Foundation Student Center constructed
• Smith Building renovated
• New outdoor classroom
• New performance pavilion in the Quad
• New commercial grade laundromat
• Transportation facility constructed
• Sid Baker Turner Memorial Chapel renovated
• Added additional parking, lighting, and directional signage
• Added artificial turf to the baseball field
• Frances B. Ross Music Building constructed in 2022
• Matthews Foundation Energy Building constructed in 2024
• Added stadium seating at Baseball Field in 2024
• Upgraded Rodeo Facilities with new barn and stalls in 2024
• New Gateway Center anticipated in 2027
• Center for Innovation and Technology anticipated in 2027