Paris Junior College Grows in Greenville Through Community Engagement

Paris Junior College (PJC) recently celebrated a century of excellence in education while marking its 10th birthday in Greenville, Texas. Ever since arriving in Greenville, PJC has developed new programs to meet the needs of the local community. In 2024, its footprint got even bigger with the opening of the PJC Workforce Building, a 23,000-square-foot facility designed to support workforce development in Hunt County.

“A lot of our growth has been in the Greenville area,” says Dr. Stephen Benson, President of Paris Junior College. “Last year, our enrollment grew by 15% college-wide, with a significant portion of that in Hunt County.”

PJC has been successful because of its local partnerships. It actively listens to the needs of business owners and community members who advocate for specific programs. Learn why PJC is such an asset to Greenville’s future workforce.

The Workforce Building Offers Four Key Training Programs

When the PJC Workforce Building opened in September 2024, it featured four large bays with state-of-the-art equipment designed to support industry needs. Students could enroll in airframe maintenance, electrical programs, HVAC, mechatronics, and plumbing. These programs were developed through a partnership with the Greenville Board of Development (GBOD) and input from businesses, including L3Harris.  

The PJC campus in Greenville offers coursework beyond these four training programs, with plans to expand in the near future. Dr. Benson says that among a list of several new programs, the college plans to bring nursing and welding courses, along with a fire academy, to Greenville in the future.

“With the rapid growth of Hunt County, we know businesses need people now,” he says. “We are moving quickly to get these programs open to respond to that need.”

PJC Builds Its Expansion Plans Through Community Input

The programs developed by PJC come directly from Hunt County residents. The college decided it needed community input to guide its efforts and developed an advisory board made up of Greenville business leaders and active members of the community.

“Our motto is ‘Together We Can,’” says Dr. Benson. “This means it takes a whole group of people to enact change and shape the region’s future. Our goal is community engagement, so we can all work together to create solutions.”

PJC relies on student and employer feedback to guide its programs. It needs to offer relevant, modern coursework that prepares Greenville residents to enter the workforce. Without this constant exchange of information, businesses will have a harder time hiring and onboarding team members, while students struggle to get hired.

“When we meet with businesses, we ask about their workforce pain points,” says John Dickson, Director of Business Development and Retention for GBOD. “We often introduce companies to the PJC team to connect them with existing training programs or to help develop new ones. They are an invaluable resource in Greenville.” 

PJC Designs Programs to Support All Students

Serving the community means understanding the needs of students, regardless of their backgrounds and educational goals. PJC has partnered with 13 independent school districts in Hunt County to offer dual credit programs for high schoolers. Many of those students will transfer the credits to four-year colleges, while others will enter workforce training programs. Regardless of a student’s future goals, PJC is there to support them.

There are also options for PJC students who need extra flexibility in their learning environments. The college offers evening classes for students with full-time jobs and online courses that allow students to learn remotely at their own pace. Dr. Benson is particularly proud of how PJC teachers support students and make them feel welcome on campus.

“Our instructors are very hands-on,” he says. “I’ve been to many schools, and I appreciate how our staff cares about each student.”

Dr. Benson himself waited 10 years to return to school to complete his master’s degree and admits he felt old stepping onto a college campus after so long. He wants students to feel comfortable in the classroom, no matter their educational history, age, or ability. 

Learn More About Education in Greenville 

Paris Junior College is just one of the workforce development partners supporting Greenville, Texas, and its businesses. Learn about the local school districts and their award-winning robotics programs. Explore nearby colleges and see how they prepare students for lasting careers.

Greenville is in one of the best locations in the United States, but its workforce is what sets it apart. Contact us to consider moving to Greenville and tap into a diverse, high-quality labor pool.