Celebrating Success at Frank Phillips College
Famous IndyCar race-car driver Bobby Unser once described success as “…where preparation and opportunity meet.” That certainly describes the case at Frank Phillips College.
Due to the significant preparation of the exceptional faculty and staff at FPC, the college has been providing excellent educational opportunities for students to succeed for 75 years. When students graduate with a degree or certificate, the college has achieved success in meeting its mission.
Frank Phillips College has been achieving great success in several areas. The past two years, the college has experienced record enrollment growth and record numbers of degrees and certificates earned. Indeed, the college was one of only two Texas community colleges that experienced enrollment growth during the COVID years.
As Frank Phillips College begins its 75th anniversary, enrollment numbers continue to set records. For the first time in its history, FPC enrollment has exceeded 1,750 students. More students are taking classes at FPC than ever before. The success of FPC is also being recognized worldwide as a record number of international students have enrolled at the college.
The success of the college does not end with record enrollment.
For FY23-24, the college set a record for the highest percentage increase of state appropriations of ANY Texas community college. This increase will allow the college to implement a budget that will provide for much needed campus infrastructure repairs without incurring any debt. This will enhance the learning environment of the college through physical appearance and comfort.
After an extremely successful first year for the new barber program, Frank Phillips College continues to expand workforce program offerings. For the first time, the college will be offering diesel mechanics at its Dalhart and Perryton campuses. The diesel mechanics program has been needed for area businesses and farmers. The program offers great employment opportunities in a high demand field and the college is glad to start the program.
Another success is the grand opening of the new Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program facility in Perryton. Through a partnership between the Perryton ISD, the Perryton Community Development Corporation, and Frank Phillips College, a facility was remodeled and equipped to provide a location for workforce programs for both dual credit and traditional students.
The FPC – Borger welding program had so many students that students were having to share welding booths and welding time. The college has just successfully doubled the welding classroom space through donations from the Borger Economic Development Corporation, the Amarillo Area Foundation, the Slentz Foundation, and the Pete and Wanda Gilvan Foundation. Not only did the space double, but new equipment was purchased so that students can be trained on the most state-of-the-art equipment.
Affordable and adequate residential housing always seems to be an issue. The Borger ISD has a robust construction management program but was lacking adequate space for students to learn construction skills. FPC successfully found space on our campus to house the program. The college and community look forward to the possibilities of these students remodeling, improving, and building residential housing in our area.
The above are just a few of the many successes at Frank Phillips College. The college is grateful for the continued support of our communities, the faculty, and staff and we know that the best is yet to come.
