Everything Nac

The Stone Fort Museum on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University will serve as the venue for a St. Patrick’s Day concert by local band El Camino Real de Nacogdoches from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

“Live performances help us connect to our musical heritage in the same way that hands-on activities help learners connect to their studies in new ways,” said Carolyn Spears, curator of the Stone Fort Museum.

The St. Patrick’s Day musical celebration will showcase Celtic, bluegrass, traditional country, Appalachian, folk and other music genres.

According to Spears, Irish settlers brought their traditions to Nacogdoches in the 19th century, with more than 3,000 Irish listed on the 1860 census.

“This concert will allow us to enjoy traditional music from Ireland, as well as music that celebrates the rich history of Texas,” Spears said.

According to band members Paul Driver, Jon Hall, Charlie Jones, Mark McLain, Robbie Roach, Craig and Michelle Smith, and Jesse Tingle, the band is East Texas’ answer to The Old Crow Medicine Show, an Americana string band based in Nashville, playing old-time acoustic music using the fiddle, guitars, mandolin, banjos and percussion.

El Camino Real de Nacogdoches formed in 2002. The band has played at a variety of art, theatrical and musical events associated with SFA. It also has been featured during Nacogdoches’ annual Blueberry Festival, Old-Time Christmases at Millard’s Crossing and The Pine Knot Music Co-op. In 2017, the band released it first CD, “Camino Real: The Nacogdoches Sessions.”

The concert is free and open to the public. The band will perform on the north lawn of the museum, weather permitting. Light refreshments will be served and include traditional Irish treats.

For more information, contact Spears at cspears@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-2408.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s speech-language pathology graduate program was named one of the 25 Best Master’s in Speech Pathology Schools 2020 by GradReports.com.

The rankings were based on tuition, median salaries and median debt as reported by the U.S. Department of Education for students who completed a degree in the indicated field of study.

SFA faculty and staff work hard to ensure student success, said Dr. Lydia Richardson, assistant professor and director of SFA’s speech-language pathology program.

“This ranking reflects our collective mission to reduce the debt of our students and ensure meaningful and sufficiently compensated employment of our graduates,” Richardson said.

SFA’s speech-language pathology master’s program is part of the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership in the James I. Perkins College of Education. It is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. In addition, all faculty members are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and are licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists in Texas.

The program is launching a pilot distance education class this summer for speech-language pathology assistants who want to return to school and earn a Master of Science in speech-language pathology while continuing to work.

“This will provide those who would not usually return to a master’s program due to financial obligations to their family a chance to continue their education,” Richardson said. “Our goal is to have an enrollment of 25 in the distance education cohort for the 2021-2022 academic year.”

Dr. Robbie Steward, chair of the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership, is proud of both the program’s faculty members and students.

“Because of their ever-increasing international visibility as scholars and their strong local reputation as consummate practitioners and clinical supervisors, I am honored to be affiliated with this group of faculty members and academically competitive students,” Steward said. “Dr. Richardson’s stated mission should serve as a model for all.”

The master’s degree plan requires two years of academic and clinical preparation, typically beginning the summer before the student’s first fall semester and continuing for two full years with graduation in May. Around 150 people apply to the graduate program each year, and 25 are accepted.

The employment outlook for speech-language pathologists continues to be strong. According to 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field of speech-language pathology is projected to increase by 18% between 2016 and 2026. Speech-language pathology majors can choose from positions in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, rehabilitation settings and private practices with an annual starting salary of $48,000 to $92,000 after being awarded a Master of Science.

For more information on SFA’s speech-language pathology graduate program, email Richardson at speechpath@sfasu.edu.

By Jo Gilmore, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. March 19 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Rick J. Lewandowski, director of the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, will present “Plant Treasures in the Piney Woods of the Gulf South.”

Lewandowski has been director of the center since 2013. Previously, he was director of Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware for 13 years where he led its transition from private estate to nonprofit. He also was curator of the living collections and director of horticulture with the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia where he served for 16 years.

Lewandowski is a seasoned horticulturist, garden designer, plant explorer and environmentalist with over 35 years of experience. He is passionate about native plants, environmentally responsible gardening and connecting people with the natural world. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and master’s degree from the University of Maryland.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the PNPC and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

Christina Meyers, a Stephen F. Austin State University student pursuing a Master of Arts in professional counseling with a clinical rehabilitation counseling concentration, was named 2020 Master’s Student of the Year by the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association.

She will receive the award at the ARCA/American Counseling Association annual meeting in April in San Diego, California.

Meyers, who is originally from Bay City, said the award “means the world to me. It is life changing for me both personally and professionally.”

This is the first time an SFA student has received this honor, said Dr. Wendy Killam, professor and director of SFA’s professional counseling and rehabilitation program.

“We are so proud of Christina,” Killam said. “She exemplifies the high quality of students we have at SFA in our counseling program. This is a very prestigious and competitive award that helps bring national recognition to our program.”

The professional counseling and rehabilitation program is part of SFA’s Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership in the James I. Perkins College of Education.

Dr. Robbie J. Steward, professor and chair of the department, said Meyers “has the heart of a clinical practitioner, commitment to the field of rehabilitation counseling and knowledge base and zeal of a scholar, eager to add to the current literature.”

Meyers was encouraged to apply for the award by Dr. William Weber, professor of rehabilitation counseling at SFA, and former faculty member Dr. Yuleinys A. Castillo. Meyers’ grades, counseling skill competency and current activities were considered during the award deliberation.

“Her dedication to the rehabilitation field as a professional, a counselor in training and an advocate has shaped her motivation to help others and herself to achieve goals,” Castillo said.

Though she is thankful for the professional recognition, Meyers said, “In the field of counseling, validation comes from the growth of our customers in reaching the goals they set. My greatest success is having the privilege and honor of assisting my customers in the best and worst of times.”

Meyers was drawn to this field after 19 years of working in a hospital as a respiratory therapist.

“I became aware of the huge gap in the medical model for patient care after a life-changing event,” she said. “People need help adapting to their new normal after medical events that challenge their overall mental well-being.”

Meyers earned her Bachelor of Science in multidisciplinary studies from SFA in December 2015. She completed a concentration in allied health and an area of development in rehabilitation services as part of that degree.

She chose SFA’s professional counseling master’s program because of its seal of approval from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Meyers also saw the program’s No. 1 ranking by topcounselingschools.org in 2016 for having the top-value counseling master’s degree in Texas.

“And the professors are excellent,” Meyers said. “They’re the backbone of student success.”

Meyers is on track to earn her master’s degree in May 2021. While going to school, she works full time at Goodwill Central East Texas, a community-based rehabilitation provider. As vocational rehabilitation director and senior program specialist, Meyers develops and coordinates programs such as Work Adjustment Training, Personal Social Adjustment Training and Vocational Adjustment Training.

The Texas Workforce Commission’s vocational rehabilitation services program refers customers from Angelina and Nacogdoches counties to Meyers so she can help them seek, obtain and retain competitive, integrated employment.

Though it’s challenging to balance work and school, Meyers said, “When you’re doing what you love, the hard work is worth it.”

Earning the award would not have been possible without the help of several current and former SFA faculty members, Meyers said.

“Drs. Castillo and Weber are true mentors in the field of rehabilitation counseling, and Dr. Killam helped me understand the importance of research and ethical standards in this field.”

Meyers also wants to thank Dr. Le’Ann Solmonson, a recently retired professor in SFA’s counselor educator program, for “her expertise in counseling skills and for promoting involvement in professional associations.”

In addition, Meyers said Steward gave her deeper insight into the field with “her intuitive nature, objectivity and leadership.”

And Meyers wants to recognize the late Dr. Alan Larson, who was an associate professor of rehabilitation counseling before his death in August 2019, “for demonstrating the importance of advocacy.”

Meyers also is grateful to her family and friends who give her “unconditional love and support.”

But to her late mother and father, Gussie Mae and Cookie Baumgart, she extends the ultimate appreciation. “Those two people made me who I am. I would not be here, speaking with you, without them.”

Meyers never expected to attend college, much less earn a graduate degree, especially when her own kids were attending college. But her dad said, “It’s time for you to get that paper.”

Her parents funded her classes to become a certified respiratory therapist at Angelina College, her undergraduate degree from SFA and part of her master’s degree.

“I don’t know how a registered nurse and a Southwestern Bell repeaterman saved all that money, but they managed it,” Meyers said.

She hopes she’s given her children the same strong foundation that her parents gave her. “This whole experience — both winning this award and going back to school after starting a family and career — shows them that no matter how old you are, if you dream it, you can do it. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true.”

Steward said she sees a rehabilitation counseling doctoral degree in Meyers’ future, as well. “This level of national recognition and affirmation is reserved for a very few and is an indicator of the degree of exceptionality among professional counseling majors.”

For more information on SFA’s professional counseling and rehabilitation program, email Killam at wkkillam@sfasu.edu.

By Jo Gilmore, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

A wide range of topics concerning women in leadership, health and wellness, and other women’s issues will be discussed during the fourth annual Women’s Empowerment Summit, hosted by Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs March 20 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom.

Veronica Beavers, OMA director, is excited to host an event that empowers women and educates the community on issues women face every day.

“During this summit, we want attendees to connect with others who are striving to make an impact, learn professional development skills, discuss the issues women are facing today, learn tips on improving personal wellness and much more,” Beavers said. “Regardless of gender, I believe everyone can benefit from the summit.”

Elena Freeman will kick off the summit as the opening speaker. A mentor, preacher/teacher and leader, Freeman can discuss myriad topics, such as practical life skills, student programming, public speaking, missions, conflict resolution, sex education, parenting and more. Freeman serves as an advocate for community youth programs, safe houses, shelters, prisons and organizations.

The luncheon speaker will be Valerie Henderson, area vice president at SHI, the largest female minority-owned business in the U.S. SHI is a technology consulting firm that employs more than 4,000.

Ebony Smith will close the summit. She is the founder of Yoga N Da Hood, a fast-growing nonprofit dedicated to making wellness accessible to everyone. Smith has taught yoga and mindfulness throughout the world and is an experienced speaker.

Event check in starts at 8:30 a.m. The opening keynote presentation will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a breakout session at 10 a.m. The lunch keynote will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and will be followed by two more breakout sessions. The closing speaker session will begin at 2:30 p.m. Breakout session presenters are a mix of faculty, staff and community members.

The event is free and open to the public. Lunch is provided to all who pre-register. Registration is available at sfasu.edu/oma. The deadline to register is March 13.

For more information, contact the OMA at (936) 468-1073 or oma@sfasu.edu.

By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.