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Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of the Provost has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that aims to enhance the academic performance, retention and graduation rates of nursing students.

SFA was selected out of 26 institutions across Texas to receive the competitive Student Success Acceleration Program 2.0 grant, “Accelerating Nursing Students’ Success.” This program aligns with state and national efforts to address the critical shortage of registered nurses.

Texas is projected to experience a 15% increase in demand for registered nurses over the next 10 years. The initiative not only aims to graduate more SFA nursing majors but also equips them with the tools to manage the high levels of stress and anxiety inherent in the field, investing in overall success and well-being in their career.

“This grant supports two of SFA’s marquee programs at once — nursing and social work. I am especially pleased that all the money goes to students in the form of scholarships, stipends and supplies,” said Dr. Marc Guidry, associate provost for the Division of Academic Affairs. “The resources provided by this grant will enable more of our nursing students to persist and graduate with their registered nurse license while providing hands-on training for our graduate social work majors. It is a double-win for SFA and the state of Texas.”

Guidry was the primary investigator for the grant. The project will be managed by Dr. Tamara Harris, director of the DeWitt School of Nursing, and Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, Buddy Zeagler Endowed Professor and director of the doctoral program in the School of Social Work. Together, they will oversee a multi-faceted approach designed to support first- and second-year nursing students through a combination of academic and wellness initiatives.

These initiatives include intervening when a nursing student is struggling, ensuring they get the help they need in the correct area of their life.

To assist in the needs of nursing students challenged by rigorous classwork and course load, SFA will encourage nursing majors to attend tutoring services offered by the university’s Academic Assistance and Resource Center. The grant will also cover the cost of some school supplies and provide scholarships for textbooks and lab kits, particularly for pregnant and parenting nursing majors.

“This grant will support students in developing the life skills required to be successful in the program and keep them healthy throughout their professional nursing careers,” said Harris. “Through financial assistance to pregnant and parenting students, who we know often are trying to hold down a job, attend school and take care of a family, the grant should help lighten the load and stress of this added responsibility.”

This approach builds on SFA’s existing strengths, including more than a decade of data from the AARC showing that students who attend tutoring sessions five or more times in a semester see significant improvements in GPA and retention.

To assist the anxiety and stress nursing students face, students in the School of Social Work will serve as case managers for first- and second-year nursing students. They will conduct workshops and webinars on mental health, well-being, academic mindsets and self-care to give nursing students tools for stress management and anxiety.

“The School of Social Work is proud to be part of a project that will retain nursing students and provide leadership opportunities for the social work students,” said Oliphant. “The National Association of Social Workers describes social work mentoring as a transformative power. We know this project will be transformative for our nursing and social work students.”

For more information about both programs, visit sfasu.edu/nursing and sfasu.edu/socialwork.

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 37 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

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation will host the Fall Faculty Showcase to highlight faculty research projects funded by CARRI grants. The event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Chosen by the center’s steering committee, nine proposals with awards totaling more than $215,000 were selected to serve the surrounding rural region through strategic developments or programs for real-world application, tourism attraction to our rural region, and partnerships that support a robust workforce in Deep East Texas.

The event will offer a chance for the public to learn about the projects through video presentations, tabling opportunities, and networking with the grant recipients and attendees.

“This event provides a chance for the SFA and surrounding communities to learn about the incredible projects from our dedicated faculty members,” said Mary Ann Rojas, CARRI executive director. “Each faculty member and their project demonstrates economic impact, measurable outcomes and student engagement, which aligns perfectly with CARRI’s mission.”

Topics to be covered during the presentation range from cancer treatment developments, microplastic pollutants, and teacher scholarships.

Additionally, CARRI recently announced a partnership with IPC International that provided select SFA engineering faculty members a four-day training session in August facilitated by IPC. A faculty member who participated in the recent training session will be present to discuss their experiences in the trainings and the newfound partnership.

Completion of the IPC training allows SFA’s engineering faculty to incorporate credentialling courses to provide students the skills directly applicable to electronics, such as soldering, electronic assembly, and cable and harness fabrication.

SFA established CARRI in fall 2021 to engage faculty, staff and students in research projects that support academic programs and boost regional economic development. Since its establishment, the university has awarded numerous scholarships to rural SFA students and stipends to faculty members for innovative research projects. It also was rated the top rural-serving higher education institution in Texas by The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges in 2022.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact CARRI at CARRI@sfasu.edu, or visit sfasu.edu/CARRI.

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 37 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

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business recently awarded the inaugural Sanner-Berry Business Professorship to Dr. Justin Blount, professor in the Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies. The new professorship was created through an endowment by Christine “Chris” Sanner Berry and James “Jim” Berry, both 1985 graduates of SFA.

Professorships are designed to honor distinguished faculty members and provide financial support to attract and retain exceptional educators while supporting them in their professional endeavors. Endowed professorships, such as the Sanner-Berry Business Professorship, are most often established through the generosity of donors and provide financial support to the recipient on an ongoing basis.

“This professorship means so much to me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the Berrys’ generosity,” said Blount, who was also selected as one of the inaugural recipients of SFA’s Scholarly Excellence Award in April.

Blount earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law. A licensed attorney in Texas and Oklahoma, Blount’s main research interests are corporate governance and social responsibility.

“I work very hard to develop rigorous learning experiences for students while maintaining a very active research agenda,” Blount said. “The Sanner-Berry Business Professorship is a wonderful reward for that hard work and also enables me to continue impacting Lumberjacks through my research and teaching.”

The purpose of the endowment is to retain and attract quality faculty members to the Rusche College of Business, said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the college.

“A great education starts with great professors,” Bisping said. “We are fortunate to have outstanding professors in the Rusche College of Business who impact thousands of students throughout the course of their careers. The generosity of Jim and Chris will help ensure that we are able to continue to attract and retain for our students outstanding professors such as Dr. Blount.”

The Berrys established the endowment because of their strong belief in education.

“We have always believed in the importance of education, both formal education and through life experiences,” said Chris, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and broadfield communication with an emphasis in photojournalism. “Whatever the means of learning that people experience — university, trade or apprenticeship — education offers the opportunity to expand their horizons and, by doing so, creates even more opportunity for the next generation.”

This professorship is one way the Berrys can ensure future Lumberjacks have the opportunity to learn from accomplished faculty members just as they did.

“As we reflected on the continued importance of getting the best professors and instructors at SFA to maintain and grow the Lumberjack experience, we became convinced this was a significant way to help make that impact,” said Jim, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and is a retired partner and past vice chair for Deloitte & Touche. “We know the endowment will serve Lumberjacks for years to come.”

For more information on the Rusche College of Business, visit sfasu.edu/cob.

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 37 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