Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cole Student Success Center will oversee SFA’s participation in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, an initiative administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for Texas students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, service and financial need. Pictured, from left, are Cole Student Success Center staff members Kat Kessler Thompson, student success coordinator; Ashley Rhodes, student success coordinator; Abby Coker, student success coordinator; Raquel Skidmore, director; Katheryne Serrano, student success coordinator–TRIO grant; Diane Williams, project director–TRIO grant; Mattie Hamilton, student success coordinator–TRIO grant; and Tammy Plaster, administrative assistant.
Stephen F. Austin State University was recently selected to be among the nearly 40 participating institutions in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program. Administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the initiative supports Texas students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, service and financial need.
“Being selected to participate in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program creates a meaningful opportunity to help talented students with financial needs pursue a degree at SFA,” said Raquel Skidmore, director of SFA’s Cole Student Success Center, which will oversee the university’s participation in the program. “Through personalized support, mentorship and leadership development, we want these scholars to build confidence, find a strong sense of belonging and prepare to make a difference in their communities.”
The 250 students selected statewide for the program will receive tuition and fee coverage and a scholarship equal to their participating Texas public university’s average housing and food costs. They also will benefit from mentoring, leadership development, undergraduate research, professional development, networking and other academic and career-focused experiences.
High school students must receive the Texas Leadership Scholar Program application from a faculty or staff member — for example, a guidance counselor, teacher or principal — at their graduating high school. Students interested in becoming a Texas Leadership Scholar at SFA must meet the following eligibility requirements:
•Be a Texas resident and a graduating senior from an accredited Texas public high school, including an open-enrollment charter school.
• Demonstrate financial need and be eligible for the TEXAS Grant, as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid, which must be completed by the recommendation deadline.
• Demonstrate academic achievement by ranking in the top 10% of their graduating class or providing a recommendation from their high school principal or counselor.
• Demonstrate leadership and service within their high school and community.
• Be accepted and enroll full time in a bachelor’s degree program at SFA in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
• Complete the Texas Leadership Scholars application process.
“We’re excited to help Texas Leadership Scholars build connections and make the most of their experience at SFA,” said Abby Coker, Texas Leadership Scholars Program coordinator in the Cole Student Success Center. “By working closely with each scholar, we can help them identify their goals, connect with campus resources and take advantage of opportunities to grow as students and leaders.”
Texas Leadership Scholars must continue to meet program requirements, including maintaining TEXAS Grant eligibility, full-time enrollment, a minimum 2.5 GPA and satisfactory academic progress, to receive funding for up to four years or eight semesters.
Applications are due Feb. 18 for the fall 2027 semester cohort. For information on the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, visit texasleadershipscholars.org. For information on the Cole Student Success Center, visit sfasu.edu/ssc.
Cutline: Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cole Student Success Center will oversee SFA’s participation in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, an initiative administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for Texas students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, service and financial need. Pictured, from left, are Cole Student Success Center staff members Kat Kessler Thompson, student success coordinator; Ashley Rhodes, student success coordinator; Abby Coker, student success coordinator; Raquel Skidmore, director; Katheryne Serrano, student success coordinator–TRIO grant; Diane Williams, project director–TRIO grant; Mattie Hamilton, student success coordinator–TRIO grant; and Tammy Plaster, administrative assistant.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business; education, humanities, and social sciences; fine arts; forestry and agriculture; health professions; and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, nine residence halls and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By University Marketing Communications
