Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs News
SUMMER CLASS
Pipe welding student Jordan Holland, left, works on a project at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop during his summer workforce program class. PJC-Sulphur Springs welding instructor John Plemons is observing his work . To inquire about the welding program and other workforce education programs offered at PJC, call 903-885-1232.
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.
SSISD Offers Free Grab & Go Meals Aug. 17-28 For Students
SSISD Makes Announcements Regarding Bus Hub; Education Rights, Responsibilities During COVID-19; YMCA After School Program
Sulphur Springs Independent School District administrators this week have made announcements regarding a free meals for students new bus hub policy, educational rights and responsibility during COVID-19 and the YMCA After School program.
Bus Hub Policy
In an effort to provide the safest environment for bus riders, SSISD administrators ask that parents allow SSISD to deliver their bus riders to their home/regular drop-off location as opposed to picking them up at the bus hub, if it is at all possible.
If it is necessary to pick up students at the bus hub, for students’ safety, parents not be allowed onto the hub lot. Those picking up students will be required to remain at the sidewalk area or beyond to receive students once they have been released from their buses.
Students will not be released from buses early. All students will be released when the buses are ready to transition students to their proper bus for home delivery.
Free Meals For Kids
SSISD Child Nutrition Department will be offering meals through the Sulphur Springs Elementary campus. The grab-and-go meals may be picked up anytime between 7:30 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday, Aug. 17-28.
Parents and/or guardians will be required to provide a list of their children’s names and schools each day in order to pick up meals. Any student age 18 or under is eligible for meals.
“We hope this helps the families in our community with meals until school starts in September,” SSISD administrators stated in the announcement.
YMCA After School Program
The YMCA After School program for SSISD students will be held at the Barbara Bush Primary campus this year. Parents may register their students online at YMCADallas.org/SchoolAgeServices between August 14-17 to have a $60 supply fee waived.
The program will be offered from the time school dismisses until 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, during the regular school term. This will include small group settings with enrichment activities designed to “support spirit, mind and body.”
Space in the YMCA programs is limited, so those planning to attend are encouraged to register as soon as possible to reserve a spot for their students. Financial assistance is available in some instances.
Rights, Responsibilities During COVID-19
Local school districts received information from Texas Education Agency regarding families’ education rights and responsibilities during COVID-19, which they are required to share with students’ families.
In order to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 families, staff and students will be be asked to do the following:
- Keep individuals who have the virus, were recently exposed to the virus have any symptoms of COVID-19 off school campuses.
- Be prepared in the event a campus or district has to close temporarily at some point during the school year for students have to switch temporarily to remote instruction. In that event all children will be required to participate in school remotely temporarily.
- Students, staff, and visitors, including students’ families should be prepared to observe some new practices to reduce COVID-19 spread, including wearing masks and social distancing when applicable and possible during on-campus learning. Families of SSISD students also have the option to participate in a Virtual Academy
Regardless the learning option selected, in-person on campus or online, the student will be required to attend 90 percent of each daily class in order to obtain credit.
Sulphur Springs Man Back In Jail For Second Time In 2 Weeks, 4th Time This Year
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man is back in jail for the second time in 2 weeks and fourth time this year.
Jeremy Lindre Williams was scheduled to appear at 9 a.m Thursday, Aug. 13, in the 8th Judicial District Court for a pretrial hearing on an April 11, 2020 voyeurism– child victim under 14 years of age charge. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Richard Brantley took him Williams into custody at 2:49 p.m. after his bond was revoked on the charge.
He was arrested April 16 on a a misdemeanor assault warrant and the felony voyeurism warrant. He was released from jail the next day; bond was set at $5,000 on the assault charge and $15,000 on the voyeurism charge.
A protective order was reportedly issued prohibiting Williams from contacting the 29-year-old female he was accused of assaulting. However, he allegedly sent social media messages to the woman’s phone the day he was released from jail. A warrant was issued for Williams’ arrest for violation of bond/protective order. Police took him into custody for violating bond/protective order at 5:05 p.m. April 22. He was released from jail on a $5,000 bond on the charge on April 23.
Williams reportedly turned himself in at 4 a.m. July 30, 2020 at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Kevin Lester escorted Williams into the jail, where he was booked for insufficient bond on a voyeurism charge. He was released from jail later that day; his new bond was set at $500,000, according to jail reports.
Wood County Sheriff Report For Aug. 5-11, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Aug. 5-11, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 1 Traffic Hazard: 1
- Alarm: 9 Traffic Stop With Arrest: 1
- Animal Complaint: 2 Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 2
- Arrest/Warrant Service: 3 Welfare Check: 6
- Arson: 1
- Assault: 3
- Burglary: 2
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Criminal Trespass: 1
- Disturbances/Disputes: 8
- Fire – Structure: 1
- Fraud: 1
- Funeral Escort: 1
- Harassment: 1
- Inquest: 1
- Livestock At Large: 10
- Motorist Assist: 7
- Noise Complaint: 1
- Reckless Driver: 6
- Shots Fired:
- Suspicious Activity: 17
- Theft: 7
- Terroristic Threat: 1
SSISD Trustees Approve 2020-21 General Fund, Debt, Food Service Budgets
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees approved balanced SSISD 2020-21 general fund, debt and food service budgets during the regular board meeting held earlier this week. The tax rate will be presented for board approval during a special called board meeting and public hearing later this month.
General Fund
The 2019-20 and 2020-21 budgets are very similar. However, SSISD anticipates receiving $1.2 million less in revenues in fiscal year 2020-21 than the $42,789,274 that was projected in the 2019-2020 budget.
The general fund budget will be tight. SSISD is projected to use all except for $1,675 of the $41,585,313 in revenue the district projects receiving for the general fund during the 2020-21 fiscal year. That’s $1.2 million less in revenue than the original 2019-20 budget, when only $776 was expected to be left once expenses were deducted from the 2019-20 $42,789,274 general fund revenue.
The general fund is comprised of four different functions: general operating, needy children, transportation and co-curricular.
SSISD is projected to receive $41,435,541 in revenues for the general operating fund; expenditures are only projected to be $39,232,871, however, leaving $2,308,138 in the general operating fund which includes day-to-day expenses, including salaries. That’s down slightly from the 2019-20 budget, when revenues and expenses were both projected to be a little higher; SSISD budgeted to spend $39,322,671 of the projected $41,786,763 in general operating revenues in 2019-20.
The district maintains $13 million in the general operating budget at the end of the budget year carried over from previous years. These funds are typically designated so the district has funds to continue operating in case state or federal disbursements are delayed, and can be used to offset deficit funds or other unanticipated shortfalls, disaster or needs during the school year.
Expenses for the children fund are budgeted only at the amount the district anticipates receiving. In the 2019-20 budget, that was $14,783. This year, the NCF is budgeted at $9,772.
The district does not collect revenue for transportation. SSISD expected to spend $1.8 million in the 2019-20 budget. This year, transportation is expected to cost $1.58 million.
Co-curricular activities, which include all extra curricular activities is expected to bring in $140,000, but will cost $862,036 in 2020-21. That’s $16,600 less in projected revenue and $27,655 less expenditures this year than were budgeted for 2019-20.
Previously, the general fund budget also included listing for an Instructional Materials Allotment (formerly textbook) fund.
“Really, there’s no need for them to be included here. It comes from the state. It’s designated funds. Our auditor said we didn’t need to do that. Last year it was $831,000. So, if you were to look back at last year’s budget, you’d see that’s gone. The same thing,” SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw told school trustees when presenting the general fund, food and debt service budgets for board approval.
Special Funds Dedicated to Special Purposes, Federal Funding
The overall district budget includes six additional special funds dedicated for special purposes. The food and debt service budgets which were approved by SSISD trustees during their regular meeting Aug. 10.
SSISD started the 2019-20 school year with $647,677 remaining in the food service fund. The 2019-20 budget approved in August 2019 projected $2,275,500 in revenues, just $13,655 more than expenses. SSISD anticipates ending the 2019-20 budget year on Aug. 31 with $600,00 remaining in the food service budget to carry over to the 2020-21 school year. During FY 2020-21, SSISD anticipates receiving only $2,210,100 in revenues, and spending $3,219,331 for food services, which would leave $935,398 in the food service budget at the end of FY 2020-21.
Debt service is expected to generate $4.15 million in revenue, with payments totaling $3.2 million. That’s down from the $4.49 million in revenue and $4.2 million in expenses projected in the 2019-20 budget.
Other special purpose budgets of the district include capital projects, workers compensation, tech self-insurance and scholarship funds.
The capital projects fund is projected at $45,160, which is about half as much as the $88,667 SSISD budgeted for capital projects in 2019-20.
SSISD anticipates $107,500 in revenue and has budgeted for $184,337 in expenses in the workers comp fund for 2020-21. The district expects to have $190,000 left in the fund, built up from previous years. That’d still leave $113,183 in that fund at the end of 2020-21.
The technology self-insurance fund is expected to be $13,198 for 2020-21, up from $10,000 least year. Last year, the district anticipated spending $18,000. This year, the fund is expected to balance even.
In 2019-20, SSISD allocated $6,932 for scholarships. For 2020-21, SSISD had allocated $14,278 for the scholarship fund.
Overall, that adds another $6,544,965 in revenue designated for special purposes, and $5,651,740 in expenses. When the general fund and special purposes funds are combined, that’s $48.1 million overall in projected revenue and $47.2 million in budgeted expenditures.
The district also anticipates receiving an additional $3.2 million in federal funding during 2020-21, down from nearly $3.7 million in the 2019-20 budget adopted in August of 2019. All of these funds go toward payroll for federal programs, such as Head Start, Title I, Title IV, preschool and visually impaired programs, according to McGraw.
That put the overall budgeted funds for SSISD for 2020-21 at $51.3 million, and expenditures at $50.4 million. The three types of budgeted funds combined for a projected $53.46 million in revenues and $52.2 in expenditures in the budget approved in August 2019 for FY 2019-20.
“She makes it look easy,” Superintendent Michael Lamb said of McGraw. “After House Bill 3 last year and COVID-19 all spring, Sherry has done an amazing job to get to this point.”
“It take a lot of work that goes into it, and we appreciate it,” SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody said.
The general fund, debt service and food service budgets were unanimously approved as presented on a motion by trustee Leesa Toliver that was seconded by trustee Robbin Vaughn.
Aug. 13 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 7 New Cases, 14 Active Cases
Hopkins County officials Thursday, Aug. 13, reported new cases in Hopkins County. While there were no new cases reported on Wednesday, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom reported 7 new cases and 14 recoveries on Thursday.
That’s 10 days so far this month in which new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Hopkins County. July was a record month for Hopkins County with 89 Hopkins County residents receiving a positive COVID-19 test result and 48 residents recovering from COVID-19. August is currently on track to outpace July in both categories. As of Aug. 10, there had already been as many recoveries in August as during the whole month of July, with 14 additional recoveries reported on Aug. 13. From Aug. 1-13, 60 new cases were reported for Hopkins County, compared to July 1-12, when 23 new cases were reported.
That brings the overall number of positive COVID-19 tests reported for Hopkins County since midMarch to 212. Of those 160 Hopkins County residents have recovered, leaving 52 active cases of COVID-19 among Hopkins County residents on Aug. 13.
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials also reported that there were 7 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances-Sulphur Springs. That’s one more in the COVID-19 unit on Aug. 13 that on Aug. 11, but the same as on Aug. 2.
Texas Department of State Health Services and Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 dashboard on Aug. 13 showed 3 COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County. The state on July 29 reported 1 COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County. That death, according to the Texas COVID-19 Fatality County Data By County report, occurred on July 23. The second death, DSHS reported Saturday, occurred on Aug. 2. On Aug. 12, DSHS reported 3 COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, the two previously reported as well as another death on July 17.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley maintained they have received no information that a Hopkins County resident has died as a result of COVID-19.
“If that information is not coming from me, it’s not official,” Endsley said, noting that he as emergency management coordinator is the first person contacted locally for COVID-19 notifications, then the Local Health Authority and other required notifications are made.
Endsley said he is in contact daily with the Region 4/5 DSHS contact, and neither have any “visual” on any COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County.
“We are trying to get faster answers and clarification, but unfortunately, we do not have a lot of say when it comes to that side of it,” Endsley said.
The local authorities in the past have challenged and had state reports of COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County removed from the state dashboard. One prior case, officials reported, was a person who had contracted COVID-19 but doctors reported that was not the cause of the individual’s death; that case was removed, along with a few others.
On July 27, the state began using data reported on death certificates in determining COVID-19 deaths. However, on July 29, a system error was discovered to have erroneously reported 225 deaths from COVID-19. Those errors were corrected by the end of the week, however, officials reported. While July 29 was when then first of the three cases currently showing on the DHSH dashboard was reported, that case has remained on the state dashboard since then. According to DSHS/HHS data, death certificates are due within 10 days, so the number of fatalities for recent days could grow as death certificates are filed.
DSHS reported no nursing home and no assisted living facility residents in Hopkins County have been diagnosed with COVID-19. One nursing home has had three employees test positive for COVID-19, but there have been no active COVID-19 cases since July 20.
On July 20, one employee case was reported to be active at the Sulphur Springs nursing facility. On July 22, there were reported to be 2 cumulative cases at the nursing facility, but neither was active. On July 27, the facility showed to have 3 cumulative employees who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, but no active cases.
Rural Sulphur Springs Man Back In Hopkins County Jail For 2nd Time This Summer
A rural Sulphur Springs man is back in Hopkins County jail for the second time this summer on felony charges, this time on two felony assault charges. A 35-year-old Canton man was also jailed on a warrant for violating probation on an assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing.
Jailed For Second Time This Summer
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were made aware of two warrants for James Andrew Gregory‘s arrest Tuesday. Deputies checked several locations throughout the shift in an attempt to locate the 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man.Tuesday night, the officers received information regarding an address in the 1500 block of East Industrial Drive, where the man might be located, Deputy Aaron Chaney and Sgt. Scott Davis alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies contacted staff at the business, who confirmed the man had rented a room there. HCSO Deputies Bobby Osornio and Nick Marney responded to assist Chaney and Davis. Deputies contacted Gregory and took him into custody at 10:17 p.m. Aug. 11, according to arrest reports.
Gregory was booked into Hopkins County jail just before midnight Aug. 11 on warrants for assault of a pregnant person and assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation. He remained in Hopkins County jail Aug. 13. Bond was set at $25,000 on the assault of pregnant person charge and $30,000 on the assault impeding breathing or circulation charge, according to jail reports.
At 2:12 p.m. Aug. 13, HCSO Investigator Dennis Findley served Gregory with violation of bond by contacting the person named in a protective order two or more times in a 12 month period. He allegedly contacted the victim in the two assault cases, after being warned by Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings not to and signing an acknowledgement of understanding of the conditions of bond/protective order, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Aug. 17, on all three charges, according to jail reports.
Gregory was also arrested earlier this summer. Deputies alleged found Gregory naked in a pasture near his residence around 3 a.m. June 25 with several items, including a baggy with a substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine, near him. The man, after putting on pants, allegedly tried to run from deputies, who deputies deployed their Tasers, each striking him. After having the Taser probes removed by EMS, Gregory was jailed June 25 for possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and resisting arrest, search or transport, deputies alleged in June 25 arrest reports.
Probation Violation Warrant Arrest
A 35-year-old Canton man was jailed Aug. 12 on a violation of probation warrant.
Tom Coy Childress contacted Deputy Justin Wilkerson in the parking lot outside of the sheriff’s offices at 7:07 p.m. Wednesday. He told the deputy he thought he might have a warrant for his arrest. A records check confirmed the man was indeed wanted.
Wilkerson took the 35-year-old Canton man into custody and escorted him into the county jail, where he was booked for violation of probation, which he was on a November 2018 assault of a family or household member, a woman he, by impeding breathing or circulation charge.
Childress was indicted on the assault charge in January 2019, according to court records. Jail records show Childress was jailed March 14-July 11, 2019 for bond forfeiture on the charge, and was charged April 15, 219 with bail jumping/failure to appear on the assault charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Brashear Couple Arrested On Criminal Negligence Warrant
A Brashear couple was arrested on a criminal negligence warrant, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkin County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Wilkerson and Investigators Wade Sheets and Michael Russell went to the pair’s rural residence around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2020, in an attempt to contact the pair. Both 20-year-old Gabrielle Marie Morey and 21-year-old Morgyn Martin Paul Morey were located and taken into custody on a warrant for abandoning or endangering a child –criminal negligence. That offense, the sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports, occurred on July 24, 2020.
Morgyn Morey also was wanted on a Class A misdemeanor burglary of vehicle charge, alleged to have occurred on January 20, 2020.
Both remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, August 13, 2020, on the felony warrant, according to jail reports. Mr. Morey’s bond on the burglary charge was recommended at $2,000.
August 12 was the third time Morgyn Morey has been in Hopkins County jail in 2020. He spent March 2-3 in custody on a misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge and May 29-June 1 for debit or credit card abuse charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Hospital District Budget Workshop Scheduled; Officials To Seek Financing For New EMS Station
At an Aug. 12 meeting, Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Wednesday heard a 2-month financial report, took another step toward construction of a new EMS station and consulted with an attorney during an executive session.
EMS Station
The hospital board at the Aug. 12 meeting gave HCHD Board President Kerry Law and HCHD CEO Folwell the OK to discuss financial institutions, and what is needed in order to pursue financing for up to 10 years for construction of a new Hopkins County EMS/Hospital District headquarters.
HCHD Board of Directors in previous meetings discussed the condition of the current EMS station, then opted to construct a new EMS/HCHD facility instead of pay for repairs on a structure that has outlived its anticipated lifespan.
Three dilapidated structures owned by HCHD that are located across from the hospital were recently demolished, with the new station targeted to be constructed on that land.
HCHD COO/EMS Director Brent Smith in July said that area logistically appears to be the best location for the new EMS headquarters/HCHD administrative offices. The area beside by the current EMS station was also pitched in previous meetings as a possible site for the new building. However, that property is in an area that frequently floods and would require a lot of dirt work to elevate it to prevent flooding and water retention. That property also has a large gas pipeline spanning across the front of the property, which would require paving over in order to build the station.
Schultz, Dietze and Brown were elected in July to represent HCHD Board of Directors on a subcommittee for planning design and construction of a new EMS headquarters/HCHD building. Since HCHD Board of Directors only meets regularly every other month, authority was also granted to HCHD CEO Ron Folwell and Board President Kerry Law to execute agreements related to those processes between board meetings.
Rees Architectural and Engineering Service was also approved at the February HCHD Board meeting as architect for the project, provided an agreement could be reached regarding the firm’s fees. At the June 23 meeting, HCHD board reviewed and approved Rees Architectural and Engineering Service fees, which includes consulting services, as well as cost plus 20 percent for transportation and lodging related fees.
Executive Session
According to the agenda, the HCHD Board discussed with an attorney “matters relating to the Lease Agreement with CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance to provide certain financial support for the benefits of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.”
The HCHD Board had the option to consider action “related to any amounts paid or to be paid by the Hopkins County Hospital District in support of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs or as provided through intergovernmental transfer to support additional Medicaid supplemental payments to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.” Afterward, HCHD CEO Ron Folwell said there was discussion during executive session but no action was needed.
Financial Reports
Folwell also gave a brief updated regarding May and June financials statements. So far, revenues are a little less than those for May and June of 19. Revenue to date has totaled $5.7 million, including $4 million in rent income, and operating expenses are about $5.2 million.
The hospital district’s contribution to uncompensated care so far for the year totaled $2.5 million compared to $3.3 million last year, Folwell reported.
The Hopkins County EMS and Communications Center are operating at an estimated $519,000 loss this year, including $73,000 lost in June. This is due in part to the timing of revenue. Some has to do with reimbursements from the state, according to Folwell.
Law asked if a loss as large as the $73,000 reported in June is anticipated for the last three months of the fiscal year.
“I expect that to narrow a little bit so that by the end of the year would $750,000-$800,000 loss for the year,” Folwell said.
Brent Smith, HCHD CEO and EMS director, said a lot of the driver overages are for drivers deployed to assist around the state during COVID-19. Once all of those invoices are in, hopefully by the end of the year, Hopkins County EMS should be “close to back up right, if not over.”
“We are also waiting on the ambulance supplemental program payment that’ supposed to pay off September. I don’t know that dollar figure. Ron have you seen anything on what it was?” Smith asked. “It’s a six figure, it’s my unerstanding. So I really think we will be in a lot better shape by the end of September.”
Smith said he anticipates receiving some fuel reimbursements from the Comptroller’s Office and has been working with one of the local nursing facilities on a deal to collect owed fees.
“There has been a change with this facility. They did overnight us a check so we wouldn’t cut off their services for non-emergencies. We can’t ever cut off their services on the 911 side,” Smith said.
He reported a company financial leader from the corporate offices is scheduled to meet with HCHD/EMS staff to establish a plan for payments. He hopes that will get the facility caught up by the end of September.
Miscellaneous
HCHD Board of Directors will meet again in two weeks in the Plaza Conference Room of the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, 113 Airport Road; the budget for 2020-21 will be discussed during the board meeting
Tim Kelty was scheduled to be sworn in again to serve another term on the board but was not in attendance at the meeting.
The board had 4 seats up for election in May. However, at the close of filing, the only candidates were the four current board members — incumbents Dr. William “Bill” Dietze and Kelty; Chris Brown, who was appointed by the board in May of 2019 to fill Dan Roper’s unexpired seat; and Kristi Schultz, who was appointed in August of 2019 to fill the seat of Suzanne Thomas Bankston, who moved out of the district.
Dietze, Brown and Schultz were all sworn in during a July board meeting, to continue serving on the board. Kelty was not in attendance.
TAMUC Announces New Welcome Center For Prospective Students
The Welcome Center at Texas A&M University-Commerce Serves as the University’s New Front Door
COMMERCE, TX—The former One Stop Shop at A&M-Commerce recently reorganized and reopened as The Welcome Center. Located on the east edge of campus, The Welcome Center serves as the “front door” of the university where guests enjoy a friendly introduction to Lion life.
According to Nechell Bonds, vice president of enrollment management at A&M-Commerce, The Welcome Center provides a “signature onboarding experience.”
“Prospective students and their guests are welcomed by a new team of guest services advocates known as the AskMe team,” Bonds said. “In addition, our Lion Ambassadors nurture future students into a relationship involving our honored traditions and our desire to build new and lasting memories.”
Future Lions who visit The Welcome Center are presented with several opportunities to learn more about A&M-Commerce. The AskMe team is on hand to answer questions and provide future students with information about the university experience.
According to AskMe team member Aminta Fuentes, “As a team, we provide a positive, informative and friendly environment for our guests. In my specific role, I am also able to provide that same level of service in my native Spanish language. As members of the AskMe team, we also provide solution-focused responses to future student and parent inquiries, and connect them with beneficial on-campus resources.”
AskMe team member Susan Garrison said she is passionate about helping incoming students feel comfortable at A&M-Commerce.
“Starting a new school is scary,” Garrison said. “When I started college, I remember being overwhelmed with anxiousness and would have loved for someone to greet me and take me to the people who would assist me further. It is a humbling feeling to be a small step in that process.”
Guests may also embark on campus tours led by Lion Ambassadors who explain the university’s fascinating history, traditions, activities and campus highlights. In addition, admission counselors are available at The Welcome Center to meet with prospective students via group presentations or individual meetings.
“Our admission counselors help prospective students connect with the story of A&M-Commerce and learn how their journey can be best fulfilled as a future member of our pride,” Bonds explained.
This fall, many students may seek out The Welcome Center for services that they formerly obtained at the One Stop Shop, such as academic and financial aid advising. While advising is now provided by Student Success Teams within individual academic colleges, the AskMe team will be available to direct students to these and other campus services.
In light of COVID-19 concerns, the university has implemented several safety measures to ensure that The Welcome Center aligns with health and safety protocols. In addition to added sanitization measures throughout the facility, visitors must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing.
Fuentes added that guest response to The Welcome Center has been extremely positive.
“Our visitors seem to appreciate our enhanced customer service procedures, the ambiance of The Welcome Center, and the access to helpful information for our future Lions!” she said.
The Welcome Center is located at 2200 Campbell Street, Commerce, Texas.
About Texas A&M University-Commerce–A&M-Commerce serves rural and metropolitan East Texas with distinction, consistently delivering on a promise that our founder, Professor William Leonidas Mayo, made more than a century ago: “No industrious, ambitious youth shall be denied an education if I can prevent it.” We are committed to our university’s mission: Educate. Discover. Achieve.
Programs are delivered on site at the Commerce campus as well as in Corsicana, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco and Mesquite. Many courses are also available online. Students may choose from more than 135 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. A vibrant student life experience includes 14 NCAA Division II athletic teams, a thriving Greek system and more than 120 student organizations.
Contact: Michael Johnson
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications 903.886.5128 [email protected]
About The Texas A&M University System–The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $6.3 billion. The System is a statewide network of 11 universities; a comprehensive health science center; eight state agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M System educates more than 151,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $1 billion in FY 2019 and helped drive the state’s economy.
