Regents Learn PJC Dual Credit Student Opportunities Growing

Opportunities for dual credit students at Paris Junior College continue to expand, according to a report presented Monday evening, Nov. 23, to the PJC Board of Regents.

Dual credit provides high school students the opportunity to earn both college and high school credit while enrolled in high school. The school district awards credit for high school academic requirements and PJC for semester credit hours, leading to a postsecondary degree or certificate. A brief video showed Sulphur Springs students saying thank you to PJC for making dual credit courses available to them.

“PJC currently has over 1,700 dual credit students attending 27 schools in the service area,” said Rob Stanley, Dual Credit Coordinator. “Those schools range in size from 1,500 to fewer than 100 students. Those students have very diverse needs.”

One of the most successful dual credit forms is the Early College High School (ECHS) program funded through Texas Education Agency grants. The program creates a high school within a high school, targeting high-risk populations of underserved students. For the last several years, PJC has partnered with Greenville High School and Innovation First International for an ECHS leading to an associate of science degree in engineering for students who complete the program.

Three other high schools partner with PJC to pursue an ECHS in 2021: Royse City, Cumby, and Clarksville.

In other business, the Regents:
• Recognized outgoing Regent Jim Bell, who expressed appreciation for his time serving on the PJC governing board.
• Swore in Dr. Linda Kapp as new regent in Place 7. Her term will end in 2026.
• Approved the financial report presented by Controller Cody Helm. Despite reductions in revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, PJC has kept expenses in line.
“The staff should be commended that we’re only down $178,000 under these circumstances,” said Curtis Fendley, PJC Board of Regents President.
• Approved the 2021-2022 Academic Calendar.
• Received the President’s Report, including an update on Dr. Pam Anglin coordinating a budgeting and financial indicators session at a recent Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board leadership conference for new regents. Regents received updates on the free mobile COVID-19 testing on campus. Dr. Anglin thanked Sen. Bryan Hughes, saying his staff assisted in making it happen. PJC is also researching two potential new programs: sonography and drone technology. Regents also learned that per plans in place since August, students would continue classes virtually after the Thanksgiving Break. All administrative, student and library services will remain open until the college closes for Winter Break on Dec. 18. Graduating will again be a virtual ceremony due to COVID-19.
• Accepted employment of Upward Bound Advisor Amanda Snider effective Jan. 1, 2021.