College of the Sequoas marks 100 years, outlines university center and local enrollment gains

Dr. Brent Calvin, president and superintendent of the College of the Sequoas, told the Farmersville Unified School District board on May 12 that COS has cleared accreditation for another eight years and is celebrating its 100th anniversary while expanding local access to four-year degrees.

The presentation said COS was ranked first regionally for return on investment and sixth statewide, and that the college broke ground last week on a university center intended to allow students from the Tallery and Kings County region to complete bachelor's degrees and credential programs close to home. "We did clear accreditation. Um we're good for another eight years," Calvin said as he outlined the college's plans.

Why it matters: The university center and a planned student union are intended to reduce travel barriers for Farmersville students and increase local postsecondary attainment. Calvin also described investments in applied technology and trades facilities, including a new welding and CTE complex, and said COS reported a high-water mark of about 330 Farmersville students enrolled this year, with roughly 90 first-time (seniors), 180 continuing students and a cohort of concurrently enrolled pupils.

Board members thanked Calvin for the update and noted how the college's programs feed local teacher pipelines and career-technical opportunities. Calvin highlighted campus amenities and student-revenue figures to illustrate student engagement: "We're not messing around," he said while showing renderings and a short video of the centennial materials and campus projects.

The board did not take action tied to the presentation; Calvin said he would answer follow-up questions from district staff about specific pathways and partnerships.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the video and Q&A; no formal district funding decisions tied to the university center were made at the May 12 meeting.