Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University and Houston Community College will kick off the semester and their interior design partnership with an open house showcasing HCC’s Central campus facilities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Learning Hub Building, Room 100, on the HCC Central campus.

Students, faculty, staff, interior design alumni and community members are invited to attend the free event.

Sally Ann Swearingen, SFA associate professor of interior design, said the event is a celebration.

“We are excited to celebrate this collaboration and welcome the incoming class to this unique program,” Swearingen said. “The open house will provide a great opportunity to network and familiarize students with the campus.”

The two institutions began a partnership in 2017 that allows HCC students the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree in interior design from SFA while remaining at the HCC campus.

Students who have graduated from HCC in interior design and have completed the core course requirements have the opportunity to enroll in the last 42 hours of SFA interior design courses either online or face-to-face on the HCC campus. Also, the partnership allows a fast-track approach with 78 approved HCC course hours that transfer to SFA.

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in interior design at an accredited university such as SFA are allowed to take the first portion of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam, which is the industry’s professional certification. After six months of experience, students will be able to take the final portion of the exam, Swearingen said.

For more information, visit sfasu.edu/hms/103.asp or hccs.edu/sfa/.

Event parking will be available at the garage located on La Branch and Alabama streets.

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

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host its annual Fabulous Fall Festival Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. in historic Nacogdoches.

The sale will feature a variety of hard-to-find, “Texas-tough” plants, including Texas natives, heirlooms, perennials, shrubs and trees, with an emphasis on pollinator-friendly plants, as well as exclusive SFA introductions. The featured plants are extensively trialed before being offered to the public and are produced by SFA Gardens’ staff members and volunteers.

This popular event benefits the SFA Mast Arboretum, PNPC, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden and Gayla Mize Garden, along with educational programs that are hosted monthly at the gardens. SFA Gardens’ educational programs reach more than 15,000 participants annually.

Parking will be available at SFA’s Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, located at 2428 Raguet St. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and bring a wagon for their plants.

For more information and a list of available plants, call (936) 468-4404, or visit sfagardens.sfasu.edu two weeks before the sale.

A new initiative involving Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business and corporate leaders will help support student success and provide a link between the academic and corporate worlds.

Through this new launching partnerships program, corporate partners can have a consistent and lasting impact on the Rusche College of Business’ students, programs and facilities.

“The launching partnerships initiative is special because everyone wins,” said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the Rusche College of Business. “Employers have new opportunities to get to know our students, and students have the opportunity to network with business professionals. As a whole, the Rusche College of Business wins because all aspects of this program advance our Learn, Launch, Lead mission.”

Building business networks for students is a key goal of the college. This partnership will provide opportunities for corporate partners to visit classes multiple times per year to meet with students, discuss job opportunities and share insight into the business world.

Additionally, the college will host corporate events dedicated to the partner company to give business leaders an avenue to meet with students one-on-one. Corporate partners also will be recognized with special signage within the college’s McGee Business Building.

Dr. Trey Turner, executive director of development, said this initiative aligns with the university’s SFA Envisioned Strategic Plan to provide transformative experiences for students and increase connections.

“The launch of the new corporate partner initiative creates an ideal opportunity to secure new sponsorships from business and industry, as well as increase the visibility of these new corporate partners on campus,” Turner said. “The additional funds and collaboration that stem from these partnerships will create exciting new experiential-learning opportunities for many SFA students.”

To learn more about this endeavor, contact Bisping at (936) 468-3101 or bispingto@sfasu.edu.

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