Joanna Huckabee appointed Director of Institutional Advancement

Panola College is thrilled to announce the appointment of Joanna Huckabee as the new Director of Institutional Advancement. Huckabee brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the community and institution, having started her educational journey at the College as a dual credit student while attending Center High School.

“We are delighted to welcome Joanna Huckabee to Panola College,” said Dr. Jessica Pace, Panola College President. “Her diverse experience, exceptional leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to education make her the perfect fit for this role. I am confident that she will excel and bring innovative ideas to our advancement efforts.”

Huckabee graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television with a concentration in news in 2008 and later earned her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2014.

Huckabee has taught at Carthage I.S.D. and Center I.S.D., where she developed her skills in education and leadership. She spent six years as Director of Media and Broadcast at Carthage where she oversaw the broadcast journalism department at Carthage High School. Following her teaching career, she joined Nevco Sports, where she managed the Northeast Texas territory and was responsible for significant sales and marketing tasks. Her notable achievements at Nevco Sports included exceeding sales quotas each year and being recognized as Newcomer of the Year.

Most recently, Huckabee served as Director of Technology at Tenaha I.S.D. In this role, she wore multiple hats, including Classroom Career and Technology Teacher, Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media, Yearbook Advisor, and Technology Director. Her work in these capacities was marked by her exceptional ability to manage complex projects, create engaging content, and lead diverse teams. Her skills and hard work also earned her the Tenaha I.S.D. Secondary Teacher of the Year award during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years, as well as the Shelby County Secondary Teacher of the Year award during the 2022-2023 year.

Her extensive list of licenses, certifications, and registrations includes being a Certified Final Cut Pro Video Editor, FAA Part 107 Unmanned Aviation Pilot, Certified Drone Educator and Instructor, and holding several Texas Education Agency certifications.

In addition to her professional achievements, Huckabee is an active member of the community. She has served on various boards and committees, including Miss Rodeo USA Board of Directors, East Texas Poultry Festival Pageant Director and Board Member, and Campus Security and Safety Committee at Tenaha.

Huckabee and her husband reside in Panola County with their two children, Hadlee and Reese. They are members of Still Waters Cowboy Church in Carthage.

Panola College is confident that Huckabee’s dynamic background and passion for education and community involvement will significantly contribute to the College’s mission and continued growth.

“Returning to Panola College in this capacity is both an honor and a homecoming for me,” said Huckabee. “I look forward to working with the talented team here to further the College's mission and support our students, faculty, and the broader community.”