After decades of dedicated service to Paris Junior College (PJC), Dr. Pam Anglin, the institution's first female president and a first-generation college student, has announced her retirement at the end of this year. Dr. Anglin, who has led PJC since 2003, leaves behind a legacy of educational innovation and financial stability.
Dr. Anglin shared her decision, saying, "I’ve heard it said that you’ll know when it’s time, and I’ve realized that time has come. I’ll be relocating to start a new chapter and be closer to family. I’ve loved my time at PJC – the students, the employees, and the communities. I’ve made many dear friends here."
Under her leadership, Paris Junior College emerged as a national leader in the community college sector's transition from open-door access to a focus on student success and completion of certificates and degrees. PJC's commitment to improving student engagement and achievement was recognized when it was chosen for the National Pathways Project in 2017, and the college received numerous awards for its efforts, including the Overall Exemplar Award in 2018 and the Texas Pathways 2019 Excellence in Implementation and Scaling award.
When Dr. Anglin assumed the presidency in 2003, PJC had a mere two-month operating reserve. Despite the college's relatively small tax base among Texas community colleges, it consistently maintained excellent financial health during her tenure. She introduced the concept of return-on-investment for student success and retention in 2005 and oversaw the expansion of PJC's facilities, including new campuses in Greenville and Sulphur Springs.
Dr. Anglin's commitment to student success extended beyond PJC, as she played a key role in initiatives such as Achieving the Dream, a national program for student success. The college was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College in 2015 and was recognized as one of the fifty fastest-growing community colleges in the nation twice. She also advocated for outcomes-based funding at the state level, resulting in the successful passage of HB 8 in the most recent legislative session.
Furthermore, Dr. Anglin's leadership fostered collaborations among local colleges, leading to the formation of the Texas Community Colleges Consortium for Shared Resources. She served on several national and state educational boards and committees, contributing to the advancement of community colleges and higher education in Texas.
In addition to her administrative accomplishments, Dr. Anglin holds a strong academic background. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has published scholarly work related to community college financing and student retention. Her dedication to education earned her recognition from various organizations, including the Phi Theta Kappa CEO Hall of Honor and the Teamwork Award from Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas.
Dr. Anglin's journey in education began as an accounting instructor before transitioning into administrative roles. She holds degrees from Grayson County College, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Baylor University, and has studied at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents President, Curtis Fendley, praised Dr. Anglin's accomplishments, saying, "Dr. Anglin has done a wonderful job for PJC and the community. She’s been a very progressive leader while maintaining excellent financial condition at the College, and we wish her well in her new endeavors. Her legacy has set a high bar."
