Panola College receives $125,000 grant to enhance college readiness and student success

Panola College has been awarded a $125,000 College Readiness and Success Models Grant by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This grant, which follows a $100,000 award, will continue through August 2026 and support the College’s ongoing efforts to improve developmental education reforms and implement innovative initiatives aimed at increasing student success.

With the grant, the College has expanded its Texas Success Initiative (TSI) boot camp program to offer both an online Zoom format, which will launch in April 2025, and a self-paced option, allowing students to prepare for the TSI at their own pace. The boot camps, which cover key content areas to address knowledge gaps before taking the test, are free for participants, with a re-test available within seven days.

The grant also funds a scholarship program that uses Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA) to support students’ enrollment in credit-level courses. By considering high school performance and other factors, MMA gives students a more holistic path to college readiness and academic success.

To further enhance student success, the College’s tutoring lab has been rebranded as the Resource Center, expanding its services to offer more comprehensive academic and student support. Additionally, the grant supports faculty professional development in student support strategies.

These initiatives are already making a significant impact by helping students progress more quickly to college-level coursework and improving access to essential academic resources.

Thanks to the previous grant’s use of the Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA) for placement, the College has seen impressive success rates. In Fall 2024, 73% of students who were initially TSI Incomplete in Math but placed into credit-level courses via MMA earned a C or better. Similarly, 85% of students who were TSI Incomplete in English and placed through MMA achieved a C or better in their credit-level English courses.

In Fall 2024, the Resource Center assisted 190 students through online tutoring and 80 in person. For Spring 2025, its hours and services have been expanded to provide even more support to students.

“At Panola College, we’re committed to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for our students,” said Emily Zabcik, lead grant writer. “This grant has allowed us to provide targeted support, ensuring more students are able to succeed in their academic journeys.”