This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
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Stephen F. Austin State University named Dr. Kent L. Willis the inaugural senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. A 2008 graduate of SFA, Willis brings a wealth of experience in student affairs and enrollment management, most recently serving as vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at California State University, Fresno.
“Dr. Willis’s innovative approach to enrollment management and his dedication to student engagement make him an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “We are confident his vision and experience will significantly enhance our efforts to recruit, retain and support SFA students.”
A fellow with the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Studies in Higher Education, Willis remains a part of the national conversation regarding improvement and effectiveness in higher education. He earned a doctoral degree in higher education from Hampton University, a Master of Education from East Central University, and a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from SFA.
He is set to begin his role at SFA on Jan. 13, where he will oversee the university’s enrollment strategies and student engagement initiatives.
“Returning to SFA represents a chance to give back to my alma mater and the East Texas region. As the anchor institution of our community, SFA has always been integral to the region’s economic, cultural and civic vitality,” Willis said. “It is an honor to be selected as the inaugural senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. Joining President Weaver, the leadership team, faculty, staff, students and alumni to build upon SFA’s legacy of impact presents a truly transformative opportunity for our university’s future.”
The newly created senior vice president role oversees both enrollment management and student affairs. This combined role allows for the cultivation of an integrated and comprehensive student experience from first contact to graduation.
Willis said he felt particularly well-positioned to serve in this role because his experience mirrors that of many current and future students.
“I understand firsthand the transformative power of an SFA education,” he said. “Promoting the SFA experience as a brand promise means honoring the traditions that make our university unique while implementing innovative approaches to student success in partnership with institutions across The University of Texas System. This dual focus will help us enhance crucial outcomes in career preparation, community engagement and overall student well-being.”
During his tenure at Fresno State, Willis was instrumental in advancing student success outcomes and enhancing college readiness through various approaches. He spearheaded innovative initiatives, such as the AI-driven student success pilot in partnership with Grammarly and the development of the Fresno State Tuition Advantage program to assist students facing financial challenges. Under his leadership, the university achieved a 2% increase in graduation rates and welcomed the second largest first-year class in its history.
Willis also launched “Bulldog Bound,” a guaranteed admission program and college readiness initiative that, in its inaugural year, partnered with over 50 school districts and contributed to a 7% increase in student recruitment. This program successfully facilitated the enrollment of 1,800 students through its streamlined admission process.
Before his role at Fresno State, Willis held various leadership positions at The University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Having also served as a public school teacher and athletic coach, his career reflects a consistent commitment to building high-performing teams and driving student success.
Willis holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership and has been recognized nationally for his contributions to student affairs. He was part of the team that earned the 2024 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs award from the American College Personnel Association.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the incredible work taking place at SFA and the UT System,” Willis stated. “I believe in the transformative power of education to enhance lives, and SFA provides one of the best value propositions in higher education through its blend of academic excellence, student support and community involvement. Ashley and I are excited about bringing our family back to East Texas and the Lumberjack Nation.”
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, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, 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
On December 9, 2024, around 2:33 p.m., the Nacogdoches Police Department responded to a 911 call from a gas station employee located in the 3200 block of North St. The employee reported that the store had been robbed by an armed black male, who had taken an unspecified amount of money and other merchandise before fleeing on foot from the scene. Following the initial report, an extensive search for the suspect was initiated by numerous officers in the vicinity. Subsequently, based on early information gathered during the investigation, officers expanded their search to include a second suspect and a blue car believed to be linked to the robbery. This led to the discovery of a matching blue car and its occupant in the 200 block of E. Lakewood St., and the development of probable cause linking them to the aggravated robbery. The apprehended suspect was identified as Isaiah Hartsfield, a 22-year-old resident of Nacogdoches, Tx. Isaiah is being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail for Aggravated Robbery F-1. Furthermore, the presence of another suspected individual in an apartment within the same block necessitated the evacuation of nearby residents for their safety. In response, the SWAT team and negotiators were deployed to ascertain the situation and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. Ultimately, it was determined that the second suspect was not inside the apartment, allowing the residents to return to their homes. While the investigation continues, we are actively pursuing the apprehension of the second suspect who has been identified to be Tristan Gardner, a 18-year-old resident of Nacogdoches,Tx. Tristan is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information about his whereabouts are encouraged to call the Nacogdoches Police Department or Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers at 560-INFO. As new developments emerge, they will be released to the public.
NPD Crime Report
This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
This page may take a moment to load
If you are having trouble loading the mugshots please try using a different internet browser
This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
This page may take a moment to load
This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
This page may take a moment to load
If you are having trouble loading the mugshots please try using a different internet browser
NPD Crime Report
This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
This page may take a moment to load
If you are having trouble loading the mugshots please try using a different internet browser
This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
This page may take a moment to load
This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.
This page may take a moment to load
If you are having trouble loading the mugshots please try using a different internet browser
More than two dozen Stephen F. Austin State University students majoring in a variety of subjects spent the semester exploring local businesses to learn about the challenges owners faced on their paths to success. One stop was SuSu’s Popcorn & Candy Café in downtown Nacogdoches, where they learned how Alan and Susan Sowards enlisted family members to help launch the business in March 2023.
The students, who are either members of the Rusche College of Business Economics Reading Group or participants in the college’s “Discovering Business in Croatia” study abroad course, are considering how to start their own businesses.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is growing fast among SFA students, and we want to be intentional about nurturing it,” said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the Rusche College of Business. “Opportunities like these help a variety of students come together to share ideas and learn how to run businesses that reflect their diverse passions, from fitness centers to clothing lines to medical practices.”
Inspired by the book “The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future,” by Chris Guillebeau, students visited with the owners of three Nacogdoches businesses: SuSu’s Popcorn & Candy Café, Brendyn’s BBQ and Jeffie Brewer Studio.
“All of the business owners were phenomenal,” said Dr. Ryan Phelps, associate professor of economics and finance at SFA, as well as faculty advisor for the Economics Reading Group and the “Discovering Business” study abroad courses. “This term really had something for everyone.”
Susan Sowards and her husband, former SFA education professor Dr. Alan Sowards, were considering retirement after rewarding careers in Nacogdoches. Instead, they recruited family members to help them launch SuSu’s Popcorn & Candy Café in March 2023 in Nacogdoches. Despite the cost of refurbishing a historical building downtown, the Sowardses quickly earned back their investment and more.
“The Sowardses have been pillars of the Nacogdoches community for decades,” Phelps said. “Our students saw firsthand the power of enthusiasm and a commitment to the local community. We also learned about the potential of opening new distribution channels — you can now get a taste of Nacogdoches anywhere with SuSu’s monthly subscription popcorn box.”
Brendyn Todd, who graduated from SFA in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in business communication, was managing the Nacogdoches Chick-fil-A location when he decided to open the city’s first food truck in 2018. By 2020, Brendyn’s BBQ had expanded to a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Nacogdoches.
“Brendyn is an advocate for entrepreneurial freedom and a true professional who fuses warmth with an unwavering commitment to excellence,” Phelps said. “He openly credits Ramsey Parr, his former boss at Chick-fil-A and the namesake of a Brendyn’s BBQ sandwich, for providing him with guidance, expertise and a promise of monetary backing if needed as Brendyn launched his new enterprise. In a town where losing a good manager can cost you your restaurant, Parr encouraged Brendyn to step out on his own.”
Jeffie Brewer, who earned a Master of Arts in 1998 and a Master of Fine Arts in 2000 from SFA, has turned his doodle-based sculptures into a successful business.
“Jeffie said his transition from the academic world into ‘artrepreneurship’ was ‘lucky’ and relatively seamless,” Phelps said. “To be successful as an ‘artrepreneur,’ Jeffie believes you need to offer a product that captures people’s attention, be on time and avoid being a jerk. My two key takeaways were ignore the haters and just keep producing. Just get your work out there for sale and don’t let fear keep you from getting started.”
The Rusche College of Business continues to offer students more ways to explore businesses and their entrepreneurial spirit with its “Discovering Business in Estonia and Finland” course planned for July 23 through Aug. 3. The study abroad trip, which is open to incoming first-year students regardless of major, offers the following:
• Faculty-led, three-credit-hour course
• Immersive experience in a foreign culture with tours of Estonian and Finnish businesses
• Scholarships to offset trip costs
• Opportunities for students to meet Lumberjacks before arriving on campus
“No matter a student’s major, that student will most likely either work for someone else’s business, start their own or both,” said Dr. Drew Thornley, SFA associate professor of legal studies and a co-instructor for the course. “We want to better equip these students for their professional lives, regardless of their future paths.”
For more information about the Estonia and Finland trip, visit gosfa.com/3SN3gkm.
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, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, 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.
