CHS grad named to Panola College staff

• Joanna Huckabee

Shelby County native and educator Joanna Huckabee has been appointed as the new Director of Institutional Advancement at Panola College.

Huckabee started her educational journey at the college as a dual credit student while attending Center High School.

"We are delighted to welcome Joanna Huckabee to Panola College," said Dr. Jessica Pace, Panola College President. "Her diverse experience, exceptional leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to education make her the perfect fit for this role."

Huckabee graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.A. in Radio and Television with a concentration in news in 2008 and later earned her M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from SFA in 2014.

Huckabee taught at Carthage I.S.D. and Center I.S.D. where she served in education and leadership as Director of Media and Broadcast at Carthage overseeing the broadcast journalism department at Carthage High School. Following her teaching career, she joined Nevco Sports in the Northeast Texas territory for sales and marketing, and was recognized as Newcomer of the Year and for exceeding sales quotas.

Most recently, Huckabee served as Director of Technology at Tenaha I.S.D. wearing multiple hats including Classroom Career and Technology Teacher, Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media, Yearbook Advisor, and Technology Director. She was named Tenaha I.S.D. Secondary Teacher of the Year award during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, as well as the Shelby County Secondary Teacher of the Year award during the 2022-2023 year.

Her list of licenses, certifications, and registrations include drone pilot and instructor, plus several Texas Education Agency certifications. In addition to her professional achievements, Huckabee has served on various boards and committees including Miss Rodeo USA Board of Directors, East Texas Poultry Festival Pageant Director and Board Member, and Campus Security and Safety Committee at Tenaha.

Huckabee and her husband reside in Panola County with their two children, Hadlee and Reese. They are members of Still Waters Cowboy Church in Carthage.

"Returning to Panola College in this capacity is both an honor and a homecoming for me," said Huckabee. "I look forward to working with the talented team here to further the College's mission and support our students, faculty, and the broader community."