Everything Nac

With the added perk of exploring a new culture, 12 students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture traveled to the Netherlands this summer to learn about the country’s natural resources and horticulture production.

Over the course of the two-week trip, students visited four cities while observing history, art and scenery.

“The Netherlands is a beautiful country with lots of natural beauty and wildlife,” said Brandy Bishop, a student in SFA’s Doctor of Forestry program. “There is also a lot of diversity with people from all nationalities.”

The trip was led by Dr. Brian Oswald, Joe C. Denman Distinguished Professor of Forestry, and Dr. Michael Maurer, professor of horticulture, who both provided insight as the students immersed themselves in several activities.

Students and faculty visited national parks, museums and gardens, including the Open Air Museum, the Anne Frank House and De Hoge Veluwe National Park.

“The Open Air Museum took you through important historical periods that shaped their culture today,” Bishop said. “I appreciated that the Dutch utilized real artifacts rather than replicas in all of the places we visited, especially at the Anne Frank house.”

Students quickly drew connections between nature and culture at many of the country’s attractions. While at De Hoge Veluwe National Park, students biked through hundreds of species of flowers and wildlife.

Additionally, the rich history of the Netherlands allowed students to learn more about the impact of policies and major events related to conservation practices.

“My favorite activity was visiting historical sites like the castles, Open Air Museum and World War II museums,” said Bryan Pace, a candidate in the Master of Forestry program.

From Apeldoorn to Amsterdam, the group enjoyed the sights and appetizing cuisine.

“The food is amazing, with less preservatives than the U.S., if any,” Bishop said. “There was always fresh bread, cheese and vegetables available.”

Many of the meals they shared left a positive impression and heightened their experience.

“Don’t get me started on how good the food was; I couldn’t get enough of it,” Pace said.

As they traveled to many popular locations throughout the country, the students used different forms of transportation.

“It took a few days to get the hang of walking or riding bikes everywhere, but it was worth it,” said Rachel Miller, forestry senior.

The trip allowed them to interact with locals and engage in an environment unlike what they might experience at home. By the end of their travels, they returned to the U.S. with a greater understanding of how their areas of study influence more than just their own surroundings.

“I wish I could go back and do it all over again,” Pace said.

To learn more about SFA’s study abroad programs, visit sfasu.edu/international.

By Amy Neal, external communications specialist for the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of Stephen F. Austin State University’s James I. Perkins College of Education, was named an Impact Academy fellow for the 2023-24 academic year through the national nonprofit organization Deans for Impact.

Impact Academy is a yearlong fellowship that aims to strengthen educator-preparation programs and prepare a diverse group of teachers to meet the needs of all pre-K-12 students. Since its inception in 2016, Impact Academy fellowship has served 139 educator-preparation leaders.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for me and for the educator-preparation program at SFA,” Abbott said. “At a time when the state of Texas and the nation need more well-prepared teachers, the fellowship of deans focuses on developing leadership, improving communication and strengthening the quality of education preparation.”

During the fellowship, educator leaders participate in monthly learning sessions, receive one-on-one coaching from seasoned leaders and engage in peer consultancies to address field-facing challenges in real time. They hone their ability to engage faculty, staff, communities and pre-K-12 partners in a shared vision for transformative change, grounded in a deep scientific understanding about how students learn.

Abbott has joined the eighth cohort of the fellowship, which consists of 24 leaders of traditional and nontraditional educator-preparation programs across 25 states and Washington, D.C. Collectively, the cohort in which Abbott will participate serves nearly 15,000 future teachers annually, 45% of whom identify as people of color. Abbott was among those selected for their commitment to improving educator preparation.

“For the eighth year in a row, we welcome a diverse group of outstanding leaders to Impact Academy who are steadfast in their commitment to ensuring all pre-K-12 students access well-prepared teachers,” said Valerie Sakimura, executive director of DFI. “As communities respond to shortages of skilled educators, there is no more crucial time to ensure that we’re building pathways into teaching that are accessible, practice-based and focused on equitable instruction. Leaders in educator preparation play an essential role in charting the future of the teaching profession.”

To learn more about Impact Academy, visit deansforimpact.org.

By Parastoo Nikravesh, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University