S ince becoming Texarkana College’s ninth president in January 2019, Dr. Jason Smith has guided the institution through a period of growth, innovation, and expanded access for students across the region. Prior to joining Texarkana College, he served as superintendent of Pleasant Grove ISD in Texarkana, bringing a strong background in collaborative leadership and education. Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, Texarkana College has expanded workforce and technical training opportunities to meet regional needs. The McCulloch Workforce Training Center opened in 2023, the plumbing program is now underway, and enrollment in workforce training programs has reached a record high. In 2024, the College opened a state-of-the-art STEM complex, and TC’s nationally recognized School of Bladesmithing was relocated to the heart of campus, earning national attention through its feature on the History Channel’s Forged in Fire. TC has also expanded aviation pathways, launching Aviation Mechanics Technology and working to establish a flight training program scheduled to begin in Fall 2026. Dr. Smith has prioritized affordability and access through the expansion of Dual Credit programs and the creation of the Texarkana Promise Program, an innovative initiative supported by the Texarkana College Foundation. The program allows qualifying high-achieving Leading Texarkana College through growth, innovation, and expanded access to higher education.
DR. JASON SMITH, PRESIDENT OF TEXARKANA COLLEGE PHOTO BY PATTERSON’S
high school graduates to continue earning their associate degree at Texarkana College with no tuition costs, removing financial barriers to higher education. Today, Texarkana College ranks among the top ten community colleges in Texas for student completion and graduation rates, reflecting Dr. Smith’s focus on student success and the dedication of TC’s faculty and staff. He was recognized with the 2020 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Paragon Award for New Presidents and received the inaugural Truman Arnold Trailblazer Award in 2025. Dr. Smith and his wife, Jodie, enjoy spending time with their sons, Reed and Grayson.
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