Everything Nac

Students enrolled in a patent application course offered by Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry had the opportunity to learn about intellectual property recently from Terril Lewis, partner in Tomball-based law firm Lewis, Reese & Nesmith.

The course gives students a background in intellectual property, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market.

“It’s a subject matter that all technical folks come across at one point or another, and it’s a little intimidating when you don’t know anything about it,” Lewis said.

The course was proposed as part of an initiative by retired patent attorney Tom Pruitt of Nacogdoches and developed by Dr. Michele Harris, professor and assistant chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“Mr. Pruitt believes graduates from SFA with exposure to intellectual property issues, especially as they relate to STEM, will be attractive hires for industry positions,” Harris said.

The first intellectual property course, taught in fall 2017, covered general information. The current course focuses on patent application and exposes students to the patent-filing process.

“Currently, we believe SFA is the only university in Texas that is offering courses that focus on intellectual property for STEM-related majors at the undergraduate level,” Harris said.

According to a report by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, over 27 million jobs in the U.S. in 2014 were directly related to intellectual property industries, Harris said.

“SFA students with some knowledge about intellectual property will be very competitive in today’s job market,” Harris said.

While SFA engineering-physics student Kyle Collins never considered working in intellectual property before, he is now “excited about the opportunities” that are in the field after listening to Lewis’ presentation.

Intellectual property and the patent-filing process are important subjects for STEM students to learn about because it’s easy for professionals to take their work for granted, Lewis said.

“I really do think that it’s interesting here at SFA that they actually have a course on it… It’s good to get an introduction to the concepts,” Lewis said.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

Students filled the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom Thursday, networking with potential employers during Stephen F. Austin State University’s first STEM Career and Internship Expo.

Representatives from Tyson, the Peace Corps, Lockheed Martin and more than a dozen other employers were in attendance at the event, hosted by SFA’s Center for Career and Professional Development.

“For students who are exploring major or career options, these events are a great way to interact face-to-face with companies to learn more about industries and career paths that are available to them,” said Jamie Bouldin, director of the career center. “For students who are seeking internships and jobs, it’s a convenient way to meet many companies at once who are all interested in hiring Lumberjacks for their positions.”

While the career center holds multiple career expos per year, this is the first specifically targeting STEM students.

“We are very excited about providing STEM students with the opportunity to interact with companies on campus and very appreciative of the support and involvement of the College of Sciences and Mathematics,” Bouldin said.

For more information about SFA’s Center for Career and Professional Development and the services it offers, visit sfasu.edu/ccpd/.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

As national president of the Association of Teacher Educators, Dr. Karen Embry-Jenlink, professor of doctoral studies in educational leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University, has appointed one of the first joint commissions between ATE and NASA Education titled STEM Education in the Future.

During each ATE president’s term, he or she is tasked with leading a national initiative in education. Embry-Jenlink’s commission will explore and frame issues related to STEM education. The joint commission will launch at this year’s 98th ATE annual meeting, which will take place Feb. 16-20 in Las Vegas.

“STEM education is the future, and every educator needs to be prepared and understand how these disciplines can affect our society,” Embry-Jenlink said.

The commission’s goals align with this year’s conference theme of reimagining educator preparation in a democracy.

“We have to think of the society we have in mind for our future and create education to cultivate that society,” Embry-Jenlink said.

Through this commission, members hope to advocate for STEM education and work with legislators, professional associations, state agencies and industry to develop policy.

Scholarly topics that will be explored in this effort include ways teacher education can promote equity of STEM education for all students, methods to collaborate between colleges to advance teacher preparation, ideas for how ATE can join the national conversation to advocate for STEM education funding and more.

Dr. Leslie Huling, senior advisor of the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research, is chairing the commission and is the project director in the NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative.

“Recognizing that the future STEM workforce is only as strong as the education pipeline, we have formed a commission of talented individuals to focus on STEM education and the future,” Huling said. “I am humbled and honored to chair this group, and I look forward to the fruits of our collaborations.”

Huling stressed the importance of the central role teacher educators play in preparing educators who produce the next generation of scientists and engineers necessary to keep the U.S. in a global leadership position.

“Commission members will identify leverage points where we can focus our energies and resources to make a positive impact on the STEM preparation and professional development of educators,” Huling said. “We want all students to develop the strong academic skills needed for success in whatever fields they choose to pursue, and we see teacher preparation and professional development as key components in bringing this vision to fruition.”

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.