October 3, 2024 – With the cut of a ribbon, the new workforce training facility at the Paris Junior College – Greenville Center officially opened Monday, September 30, 2024. The ribbon cutting was part of the official dedication and Open House held for the public.
“Welcome to our celebration of our 100th Anniversary and grand opening of this new workforce center,” said Dr. Stephen Benson, PJC President. “This investment in the Greenville Center represents Paris Junior College’s commitment to the community and the business community. This state of the art training facility will help us meet the demands of local business and industry. We have great partners here in Hunt County and Greenville.”
The new training facility matches the original building’s exterior and is slightly over 23,000 square feet. Large bays house four programs, and the facility has been designed to match industry needs as those change over the years.
Initial workforce programs housed in the new facility are mechatronics (including an industrial maintenance apprenticeship in partnership with the Greenville Board of Development); heating, air conditioning and refrigeration; electrician; and a new airframe maintenance program.
“I’m standing here to thank some people,” said Craig Driggers, L3Harris Director of Operations Management and a proud PJC alumnus. “I’m from Greenville. I went to high school here and took my college classes here and today I get to be part of something unique from the last 24 months with a group of people with a vision to bring aircraft mechanics back to Greenville. We’ve started two programs: a pre-apprentice program touching all ten of our ISDs and most importantly, we have this fantastic facility that’s going to execute the aviation program. The only thing missing for me is a couple of hundred students in there, learning aviation, so thank you.”
The PJC-Greenville Center is located at 6500 Monty Stratton Parkway. The new facility is to the west of the original building.
“This is just the start of helping fuel the local economy and improve the quality of life here in Greenville and Hunt County,” said Benson.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
