Paris, Texas — The Paris Junior College Board of Regents has approved a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, establishing a long-term vision for growth, modernization, and improved student experiences across its campuses in Paris, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs.
Developed in partnership with the Plano office of Stantec, the plan outlines a 10-year framework to enhance academic, workforce, and student life facilities while aligning with enrollment growth, workforce needs, and advances in technology.
“This is an important milestone for Paris Junior College,” said President Dr. Stephen Benson. “The approval of this plan reflects our commitment to providing high-quality facilities that match the excellence of our programs and the expectations of our students and communities.”
The full Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan are available at https://parisjc.edu/about/index.php.
While the plan does not represent a fixed construction schedule, it serves as a strategic roadmap for future renovations, new construction, and campus improvements.
The Paris campus is expected to see the most significant transformation. Facility assessments identified aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and inefficiencies in space utilization. Feedback from students and employees also emphasized the importance of modern, well-maintained facilities in shaping the overall campus experience.
As a result, the plan calls for a phased replacement of outdated and structurally limited buildings rather than costly renovations. Facilities identified for future demolition include the Old Gymnasium, Noyes Stadium, Hatcher Hall, Thompson Hall, Applied Science Center, Art Building, and other maintenance department structures.
In their place, the college plans to develop modern spaces that better support workforce training and health science programs, along with expanded student housing, improved athletic facilities, and enhanced student life areas. The plan also introduces a more centralized campus layout with improved pedestrian flow and outdoor gathering spaces.
At the Greenville campus, the focus is on strategic growth tied to workforce development and community partnerships. Assessments of enrollment and space usage identified opportunities to expand programs aligned with regional demand. The campus, which includes approximately 160 acres, provides room for continued growth.
Potential partnerships are expected to play a key role in that expansion. A proposed sale of 60 acres to Greenville ISD could bring a new high school adjacent to the campus, while collaboration with the City of Greenville’s new Fire-Rescue Center may create additional training opportunities. Planned improvements include expanded space for aviation, advanced manufacturing, and health-related programs.
In Sulphur Springs, the master plan outlines a long-term vision centered on the potential development of a new, purpose-built campus. Assessments identified limitations with the current site, leading to consideration of a new location that would better serve Hopkins County.
With more than 50 acres available, the College has the opportunity to design a campus from the ground up, with flexible spaces to support both academic and workforce programs. Areas such as welding, HVAC, electrical, and health-related fields are expected, with room for future program expansion as community needs evolve.
College leaders said the goal is to create a campus that is efficient, accessible, and responsive to local needs. While the Sulphur Springs project remains a long-term vision, it reflects a continued commitment to expanding access to higher education and workforce training in the region.
The Facilities Master Plan is based on extensive analysis, including facility condition assessments, space utilization studies, workforce data, and input from students, faculty, staff, and community members. Those findings reinforced the importance of modern facilities in supporting student success and institutional growth.
In addition to approving the plan, the Board of Regents authorized an initial set of capital projects to begin implementation. These projects will focus on priority improvements, deferred maintenance, and demolitions, with several expected to begin this summer and continue ahead of the fall semester. Additional phases will be considered as funding strategies are developed.
College leaders say the plan positions Paris Junior College to remain responsive and innovative as it continues to grow.
“This plan is about more than buildings,” Benson said. “It’s about creating an environment where students can succeed, where faculty and staff can thrive, and where our communities see PJC as a partner in building a stronger future.”