Dr. Stephen M. Benson, President, Paris Junior College
At Paris Junior College, student success is not just a phrase – it is our mission, our purpose, and our daily work. Our official mission states: Through a culture of excellence and student support, Paris Junior College delivers affordable, high-quality education and workforce training that transforms lives, builds meaningful careers, and empowers students and communities to thrive.
Every program, initiative, and effort across the College is designed with that mission in mind – to help students achieve their goals and prepare for a brighter future.
This commitment is reflected in the remarkable accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff:
· Nationally Ranked Nursing Program: PJC’s Vocational Nursing Program was recently ranked #1 in Texas out of 79 programs and #1 in the United States out of 1,168 programs by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. This distinction, based on the 2024–2025 NCLEX results, highlights the extraordinary preparation of our students and the dedication of the faculty who mentor them. The 2023–2024 PJC cohort achieved near-perfect NCLEX pass rates, ensuring our graduates enter the healthcare workforce with the skills and confidence to provide exceptional patient care.
· Affordable Access to Learning: This fall, PJC launched Dragon Now, a digital course materials program that automatically provides every student with all required textbooks and materials on the first day of class. For one flat fee included in tuition, students gain immediate access to what they need to succeed, eliminating delays and reducing the financial strain of purchasing materials separately.
· Academic Excellence in Athletics: PJC students proved that success extends beyond the field and court. All six of our athletic teams earned NJCAA All-Academic Team recognition with team GPAs above 3.0. Even more impressively, the baseball team ranked #1 in the nation with a record-setting 3.99 GPA, while the softball team ranked #1 in their sport with a 3.96 GPA, securing the #2 spot overall nationwide. Out of more than 3,400 NJCAA athletic teams, no institution has ever finished with the #1 and #2 overall GPAs—until now. In addition, 93 PJC student-athletes earned Academic All-Region honors, reflecting their hard work and academic excellence.
· Incredible Enrollment Growth: This fall, Paris Junior College welcomed over 5,000 students, marking a 15% increase in headcount enrollment compared to last year. This growth reflects the effectiveness of our outreach efforts, the addition of new academic programs, renewed support for dual credit opportunities, and expanded scholarship availability – all of which highlight the value and opportunity students find at PJC.
· Pioneering Partnership with MD Anderson: Paris Junior College was the first college in the nation granted walk-in status to the prestigious University of Texas MD Anderson School of Health Professions in the medical laboratory science,
cytogenetic technology, cytotechnology, histotechnology, and molecular genetic technology programs. For over a decade, PJC students preparing for these programs have enjoyed a 100% acceptance and success rate, providing a direct path into one of the most respected medical training institutions in the country. Graduates enter high-demand fields with starting salaries ranging from $80,000 to $105,000 annually with a bachelor’s degree, filling critical roles in hospitals, laboratories, corporations, and beyond.
These achievements represent only a small glimpse of the extraordinary efforts underway at Paris Junior College. From innovative programs that break down barriers to nationally recognized academic and athletic success, PJC students are proving that when given the right tools, encouragement, and community support, they can achieve greatness.
One powerful example of this impact is Jeramy Howell, an accomplished higher education professional with a strong background in career coaching, curriculum development, and student success initiatives. After his time at PJC, Jeramy went on to earn multiple degrees, including a master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling. As the Assistant Director at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, he spearheads employer relations, event programming, and data-driven strategies to enhance student outcomes. Jeremy is currently the Assistant Director of Career Services at the University of Washington’s College of Engineering.
Reflecting on his journey, Jeramy explained: “PJC helped build my confidence from a student who barely passed high school to a multi-degreed professional who’s helped students get jobs at the Supreme Court and White House, while working at multiple flagship universities. My time at PJC was nothing but character building because PJC supported me and built me in every step of the way. I’m eternally grateful to places like PJC and hope it continues to prosper so it can help build up more East Texans.”
Stories like Jeramy’s embody what Paris Junior College is all about. At PJC, student success is not just our goal – it is our commitment. We deeply appreciate the support of our communities, and as we look ahead, we will continue building pathways that help every student reach their highest potential. Our students and our communities deserve the very best in education and workforce training—and that is what we are committed to providing.
