Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University has been ranked 14th among the 30 best schools for a master’s degree in special education online by Best Choice Schools, one of the leading free websites for helping college students and adult learners choose the best education path. The ranking was published on the organization’s website in January.

Rankings were determined using the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator database. Qualifying schools offered an online master’s program in special education. To create the top 30 ranking, criteria included school graduation rate, net cost, student-to-faculty ratio and percentage of applicants admitted.

Dr. Paige Mask, SFA associate professor in the Department of Human Services, co-created the online master’s degree in special education program tracks and has served as the adviser and facilitator of the program for the past 10 years.

“This recognition provides evidence of the tremendous commitment and effort that all program faculty members have in helping graduate students further their knowledge and skills, meet their educational goals, and provide a continuous stream of quality special education educators into the public and private school systems,” Mask said.

SFA offers a 36-credit hour master’s degree in special education with three options. Students can earn an early childhood through 12th grade special education certification, a master’s degree in special education or an educational diagnostician certification. Students who already have a teacher’s certification can earn their master’s degree in special education to help expand their knowledge and professional skills. The educational diagnostician certification option is for students interested in working with the school system to help ensure services are in place and meet state laws for special education students. The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and is recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business will host its third College to Career Conference from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the Mattress Firm Commons in the R.E. McGee Building on the SFA campus.

C2C, a professional development event, will feature sessions throughout the day with speakers from across the state representing companies such as Southwest Airlines, Mattress Firm, Edward Jones and Wells Fargo.

“The C2C is one of the best ways we can connect business executives with our students,” said Chelsea Heidbrink, director of career success and corporate engagement for SFA’s Nelson Rusche College of Business. “It provides professional insight into the job market and prepares students for the realities they will face after graduation.”

Sessions will focus on career-readiness topics, including communication skills, post-graduation budgeting and finances, and first impressions. Additional topics include information concerning the job search, competing in the job market, using social media for branding and the importance of lifelong learning.

Students can earn Student Success Passport Program points for each session they attend. The Student Success Passport Program aims to help SFA students hone their professional skills while competing for scholarships within the Nelson Rusche College of Business.

“With more than 20 professionals attending, C2C gives our students the opportunity to expand their personal network and build connections that may help them as they search for jobs and internships,” Heidbrink said.

C2C also will feature Rusche Real Talks presentations, which will give attendees personal insight into the experiences and business ventures of many successful SFA alumni and friends. During the conference, students also can participate in career counseling and mock interviews.

Additionally, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Nelson Rusche College of Business will host an employer reception where many of the college’s juniors, seniors and graduate students can meet and network with potential employers. The reception will be held in the Mattress Firm Commons area.

For more information, contact Heidbrink at (936) 468-2339 or heidbrinc@sfasu.edu.

Thirteen Stephen F. Austin State University interior design students are leaving their mark on Nacogdoches in a big way.

This semester, students enrolled in SFA interior design associate professor Sally Ann Swearingen’s senior capstone course have been working with Richard and Barbara DeWitt, the new owners of The Fredonia Hotel, and hotel management in their remodeling efforts.

Students began working on the project in January. After a walk-through of the facility, the class divided into four teams and began researching design concepts. SFA senior Jasmine Martin described the process as challenging and eye opening.

“It’s been an interesting project. This is my first time to focus on hospitality design. We usually work on residential design, and this project gives us a way of designing for the commercial world,” Martin said.

The class meets from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. two days a week to work on designs for the hotel. Students have been tasked with helping design the front lobby, Nine Flags bar, gift shop, outdoor areas, hotel rooms and more.

“It’s been really cool to see how the hotel used to be and to see what the client wants it to look like now,” said Sarah Scarborough, senior SFA interior design major. “We think the hotel is going to bring in a lot of people to Nacogdoches.”

The project has been separated into presentation phases where students show their designs to the clients for feedback and approval. Recently, the class presented its concepts for The Fredonia’s outdoor areas, hotel rooms, and the steak restaurant and bar.

“It’s good to get a different perspective from different generations,” said The Fredonia Hotel’s general manager John McLaren. “Being a historic hotel, we want to be able to appeal to all varieties of people and generations.”

The student teams create 2-D floor plans and 3-D designs using Revit and AutoCad professional design software. The class also has met with manufacturers and contractors.

“I am excited about this opportunity Richard and Barbara DeWitt are giving our interior design program. It has allowed our students to give suggestions and learn more about the history of The Fredonia Hotel,” Swearingen said. “The students have enjoyed the hands-on experience, meeting with management and owners, and getting to hear from locals who are looking forward to the hotel reopening.”

The iconic hotel is scheduled to open again this fall and showcase classic mid-century style with a new generation of hospitality.