Panola College was established June 14, 1947, and began operations on January 19, 1948 at the corner of State Highway 315 and U.S. Highway 79, where it continues to operate today. The first permanent buildings were erected in 1949.
In 1995, the adjacent counties of Harrison (excluding parts as noted above), Marion, and Shelby were added by law to Panola's designated service area. Panola operates branch locations in Marshall and Center.
The first president of Panola County Junior College was B. W. Musgraves (1948–50). He was succeeded by Floyd Boze (1950–51), M. P. Baker (1951–67), former Carthage school superintendent Q. M. Martin (1967–73), Dr. Charles Hays (1973–74), longtime PJC basketball coach Arthur M. Johnson (1974–81), Dr. Gary McDaniel (1981–92), Charles Hughes (1992–93), Dr. William Edmonson (1993–2000), and Dr. Gregory Powell, (2000–Present).
In the spring of 1948 fifty-five charter students enrolled in the initial courses. In the fall of 2012 Panola College enrollment reached 2,584 students.
The teams are known as the Ponies, with the women's teams called the Fillies. Panola has won three NJCAA National Championships, a baseball championship in 1969 and a pair of women's basketball crowns in 1977 and 1978. Panola plays in the Region XIV Athletic Conference, a part of the NJCAA.
