Panola College announces first female sole finalist for president

Robbie Heriman
·2 min read

CARTHAGE, Texas (KETK) – The Panola College Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. Jessica Pace, an East Texas native, as the sole finalist for Panola College’s 11th president.

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According to a release, Pace is set to become the first woman to lead Panola College. Pace is a Carthage native who attended Panola College after graduating high school. The college said that Pace was chosen because she “embodies the values of excellence, integrity and innovation” of the school.

<em>Dr. Jessica Pace, courtesy of Panola College</em>
Dr. Jessica Pace, courtesy of Panola College

“We are very proud to select Dr. Jessica Pace as the next President of Panola College,” said William Goolsby, Board of Trustees Chair. “The Board looks forward to welcoming Dr. Pace into her new role and is confident that her leadership will inspire excellence throughout the institution.”

The college said that Pace had been serving as the vice president of Institutional Advancement at Panola College, and that she spearheaded initiatives that directly led to growth impacting the school’s success. Panola College said that under her leadership, the college’s total endowment grew from $3.6 million to $12 million and increased the number of student scholarships from 80 to over 600.

“As I step into the role of President, I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead Panola College forward, and feel fortunate to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Greg Powell and build upon his remarkable legacy. My career has been marked by a steadfast focus on student success, working to remove barriers for students and ensure their achievement. I am extremely excited to continue serving our community and navigating the ever-changing landscape of higher education, ensuring that the College remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence.”

Dr. Jessica Pace

In accordance with state law, the board must wait 21 days before officially appointing Pace as the school’s president.

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