A Pinnacle Panhandle Performance

To reach a pinnacle is to reach the highest or culminating point of success.  Such is the case with the academic accomplishments at Frank Phillips College (FPC).

At a recent budget workshop, one FPC regent asked, “How does the administration, or the public in general, know if FPC is preparing our students to excel in the workplace or in their future academic pursuits?” 

The facts give evidence of the academic excellence occurring at FPC.  Here’s the proof.  Let’s begin with the nursing program.  FPC offers one of the best licensed vocational nursing (LVN) programs in the state.  How do we know?  Our LVN students have had a 100% pass rate of the state licensing exam for four consecutive years.  It is the ONLY Texas community college LVN program that can say that!   In addition, for the first time in its history, the LVN program was ranked in the top 10 programs in the State of Texas.   Not to be outdone, FPC cosmetology students also have a 100% pass rate. This is a great compliment to the outstanding faculty who instruct our LVN and cosmetology students. 

What about the academic preparation and performance of FPC students who transfer to universities such as WTAMU?   A recent study by WTAMU showed that FPC students had just as good of grade point average (GPA), or sometimes better, than students who were attending WT for the first time (FTIC) or of students who transferred to WT from another college. Here are some additional statistics from the WT study regarding FPC students:

• The GPA for FPC students in the WT College of Business was 23% higher than FTIC students.
• The GPA for FPC students in the WT College of Education was 15% higher than students who transferred from another college.
• The GPA for FPC students in the WT Nursing and Health Sciences program was 12% higher than FTIC students.

Not only are FPC students well prepared for their future academic pursuits, but they are also 7% more likely to continue their education than other Texas community college students.  Furthermore, FPC students are more likely to graduate with their degree than students from other colleges and do so in almost half the time.

Another huge performance measure is in FPC workforce programs.  Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board data shows that FPC students are 20% more likely to be employed than other Texas community college students.  This measurement reflects the exceptional quality of instruction received by FPC workforce students and the value area employers place on FPC graduates.

The academic reputation of FPC has resulted in a record enrollment for FPC this fall.  For the first time ever over 1,600 students have enrolled at FPC!!  More and more students are taking advantage of the outstanding education and workforce opportunities. 

There are even more statistics that reveal the excellence that is occurring at FPC, and with the support and partnerships with our local independent school districts, industry, and community partners the excellence will continue.

And as the song goes….”the best is yet to come.”