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Stephen F. Austin State University alumni and industry professionals from more than a dozen companies recently shared their expertise with current Rusche College of Business students during the fifth annual College to Career Conference at SFA.

This conference serves as the annual capstone highlight for business students in the Career Success Passport Program, formerly the Student Success Passport Program. This program helps students hone their professional skills while competing for scholarships.

“This event allows our students to practice the career preparation skills they’ve learned through our unique passport program,” said Gina Small, academic advisor and career success specialist in the college. “It also offers all SFA students the opportunity to learn from experts in the field.”

Throughout the day, students attended workshops covering a variety of business-related topics and learned best practices for entering the workforce, including how to dress professionally, how to stand out from the competition and what to expect in the first 100 days on the job. Students also participated in one-on-one résumé critiques and discussed personal and professional branding.

Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the Rusche College of Business, said this year’s conference was a success. “We have seen continued growth in both employer and student participation, making this year’s conference perhaps the largest in the event’s history,” he said.

Alumni served as panelists in various workshops to share their business knowledge and career journey. Kirk Phillips, president and chief executive officer of Wintrust Commercial Finance, discussed the equipment leasing and financial industry and career options. Representatives from Austin Bank, Lockheed Martin, Commercial Bank of Texas, Wells Fargo, Southwest Airlines, Walgreens, Rockwall Automation, Pepco Sales and Marketing, Kovar Capital, Kohls, Southside Bank, Wintrust Commercial Finance, Tom F. Pruitt and Reynolds/Reynolds were present.

“This event gives our students a chance to hear from successful friends of the college regarding current professional development issues while also giving students networking opportunities with individuals who may recruit them for future employment,” Bisping said. “The C2C event is one way in which we can help our students gain an edge in the job market.”

Selected students also attended an employer reception in the Mattress Firm Commons to talk with panelists in a more personal setting.

“The employer reception gives our students a great opportunity to network with business professionals,” Bisping said. “It allows our students to hone their networking skills in a supportive environment. As we work to help our students launch successful careers and become leaders in their fields, this skill development is vitally important.”

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

Students nominated from each of Stephen F. Austin State University’s six colleges and one regional college will showcase their research during the 2018 Undergraduate Research Conference 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

One student research project from each college was chosen as top scholar, with other projects from each chosen as finalists. Dr. Michael Tkacik, director of the School of Honors and professor in the Department of Government, said the finalists were selected based on the rigor, creativity and research processes of their projects.

Top scholars will present their research in the student center theater and include Stephen Janovsky of Rockwall, Nelson Rusche College of Business; Yemy Magana of Houston and Haley Paz of Burleson, James I. Perkins College of Education; Travis Wilson of Katy, College of Fine Arts; Nicholas Schiwitz of Frisco, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture; Abigail Perschall of Denison, Hannah Tumlinson of Cibolo, Jessie Jenkins of Atascocita and Alex Sides of Nacogdoches, College of Liberal and Applied Arts; and Archie Sauls of Duncanville, College of Sciences and Mathematics.

Finalists will give poster presentations in the Twilight Ballroom.

“Ultimately, research seeks to add new knowledge to the world,” Tkacik said. “These students have demonstrated excellence in every sense of the word. They have shown initiative, they have shown perseverance, they have shown creativity and, of course, they have demonstrated hard work.”

The conference is open to the public. For a list of participants and research topics, visit sfasu.edu/honors/urc/winners2018.asp.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Veteran voices heard during recent years in SFA’s Opera Theater will share the stage with some of the university’s younger voice performance students when Stephen F. Austin State University presents “The Magic Flute” April 12 through 14 in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

Sophomores with their first leading roles and graduate students completing their master’s degrees will showcase the depth and versatility of talent within the SFA School of Music when the students perform in W.A. Mozart’s fairy tale for all ages.

SFA Opera Theater favorites Kelsey Quinn of San Antonio and Amanda Sheriff of Houston first appeared as freshmen in operas performed on Turner stage, and both are now completing their Master’s of Music degrees in vocal performance. They share alternating roles as Pamina in “The Magic Flute.”

Evelyn Shaffer of Mont Belvieu and Emily Bulling of Katy came to SFA as freshmen music education majors and are now completing their master’s degrees in choral conducting. Shaffer has a leading role of Third Lady, while Bulling portrays the Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute.”

Performing alongside these seasoned vocalists are sophomores Greg Garcia of San Antonio as Papageno, Logan Ray of Lubbock as Sarastro, and Taryn Surrat of Houston as Papagena.

“SFA is quite unique in that we train all of our voice majors with the same goal – to reach their highest potential as excellent singers,” said Dr. Deborah Dalton, associate professor of voice at SFA and stage director of “The Magic Flute.”

“Most university voice programs only feature performance majors in leading roles,” she said. “At SFA, the best singer, regardless of emphasis (music education/performance), wins the role.”

Although Bulling is a music educator, the Queen of Night is her first vocal stage role at SFA, and it’s been a unique learning experience, she said.

“I have learned so much about what it takes to put on a production and the outside time commitment that a role requires; it is so much more than ‘parking and barking,’ as I have thought,” Bulling said. “There is so much planning that goes into every rehearsal, and if you come unprepared, it shows! This is something I will take into every choral rehearsal I will have – the need to take the time to go over how you want rehearsal to go and plan every step. I am so honored to get to work with so many friends in one of my favorite operas.”

In the opera, the Queen of the Night persuades Prince Tamino to rescue her daughter, Pamina, from captivity under the high priest, Sarastro. Tamino accepts the quest, but when he learns the high ideals of Sarastro’s community, he seeks to join it. Separately, then together, Tamino and Pamina undergo severe trials of initiation, which end in triumph, with the Queen and her cohorts vanquished. The bird catcher, Papageno, who accompanies Tamino on his quest, fails the trials completely but is rewarded anyway with the hand of his “pretty bird,” Papagena.

As a newcomer to the SFA Opera Theatre stage, Ray said that one of the best lessons he is learning is “to know when to ask for help.”

“There are many students who are older and more experienced than me, and I have much to gain from listening to their advice and using it to better myself in my role,” Ray said. “Getting to perform with the all of the older students is awesome. Not only are they amazing to watch and sing with, but knowing that I get to perform with them in their final roles gives me even more motivation to make it a great show for them.”

Making sure music and lines are memorized so that blocking goes smoothly is one lesson Garcia has learned in his first opera experience.

“It’s hard to block the scenes with music in our hands,” he said. “It’s truly and honor and a blessing to be working alongside such talented and amazing people. I always welcome criticism from them because I know it will make me better.”

Quinn said her definition of “busy” has changed over the years, especially when it comes to preparing for an opera production.

“I think what I have really learned from SFA is that I can do this,” she said. “It’s hard work, and it’s certainly a big commitment, but I’ve never gone into an opera feeling like I couldn’t do it. After six years, I feel like if I can do this, I can do anything. I think that confidence and assuredness is what I will take with me as I go out into the real world. I have been taught well at every level, and I am prepared for whatever may come. That’s a blessing that comes with a great faculty, and I have been incredibly lucky to be taught by some of the very best.”

Gaining confidence and being vulnerable are the two biggest lessons Sheriff has learned in her six years at SFA. Before coming to SFA, Sheriff said she had never even seen an opera, and now she is consistently cast in lead roles.

“I just thought I was coming to college to learn how to sing better choral sounds and conduct,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would pursue a masters in vocal performance and have dreams to perform opera on a professional level.”

Sheriff said she still struggles daily to build confidence in her performances. She says insecurity “comes with the territory.”

“I think that opera at SFA has taught me how to negate my self-doubt with positivity, consistency and vulnerability,” she said. “To be completely vulnerable in a rehearsal or on stage takes confidence. You cannot give it your all on stage without allowing the audience to see your soul.”

Performing a variety of operatic roles, from reserved nun to comic relief, has challenged Shaffer to grow as a performer and individual during the past six years.

“I have learned so much from my colleagues,” Shaffer said. “Nothing can compare to seeing their transformations in just a semester, as I see them come alive during these performances.”

She said the lessons she will take from her experiences in SFA Opera Theater are innumerable.

“As an educator, the most important thing that I have witnessed is a student’s ability to thrive with the correct instruction and encouragement,” Shaffer said. “Students can always surprise you as they grow up, and I hope to only aid them to become better than they ever expected from themselves, just as these wonderful SFA professors have done for me. I am truly grateful and cannot wait to see the finished product for this year.”

Tickets to “The Magic Flute” are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Stephen F. Austin State University will recognize seven faculty members during its Teaching Excellence Awards Convocation at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Regents’ Suite A on the university campus. This event is free and open to the public.

The Teaching Excellence Awards were established in 1994 to honor outstanding classroom teachers at SFA. Each of the university’s six colleges selects a faculty member to receive the annual award based on knowledge of subject matter, quality of lectures and assignments, enthusiasm for teaching, interest in and availability to students, commitment to continuous improvement, and contribution to the quality of teaching at SFA by assisting and encouraging other faculty members. The 2018 recipients are as follows:

Rusche College of Business

Dr. Gina Harden, assistant professor of management in the Rusche College of Business, joined the faculty in 2013 after completing her master’s degree at the University of Texas at Tyler and her doctoral degree at the University of North Texas.

Harden teaches management productivity systems and management information systems to both graduate and undergraduate students. She serves as the faculty advisor for the Society for Advancement of Management, a professional student organization.

Her research interests include enterprise social software and knowledge management. She received the 2014 Outstanding Intellectual Contribution Award and the 2015 Outstanding Researcher Award for the College of Business.

James I. Perkins College of Education

Dr. Scott Bailey, associate professor teaching graduate courses in educational leadership, is in his sixth year at SFA. Previously, he served as a campus principal, assistant principal, curriculum director and high school chemistry teacher in schools across East Texas.

Bailey also works as a professional service provider and is sanctioned by the Texas Education Agency to assist struggling public school districts and campuses. Additionally, he serves as a trainer for the Texas Teacher Evaluation System where he has trained more than 1,000 teachers and principals about quality instruction and continuous improvement.

As a researcher, Bailey focuses on instructional leadership and improving instruction, especially in the online environment, and effective principal preparation programs.

College of Fine Arts

Dr. Inga Meier, assistant professor in SFA’s School of Theatre, joined the College of Fine Arts in 2015. She teaches courses in play analysis, theatre history, film history, dramaturgy and more.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in English literature and theatre from Rutgers University, her Master of Fine Arts in dramaturgy with a graduate certificate in cultural studies from Stony Brook University, and her doctoral degree in theatre history and performance studies with a doctoral certificate in film studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Her research is focused on performances of terrorism, violence and trauma. Her writing has been published in Film and History, The Theatre Annual and in the anthology “Recovering 9/11 in New York.” She currently serves as secretary and debut panel coordinator for the Theatre and Social Change Focus Group of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.

Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture

Dr. Jeremy Stovall, associate professor of silviculture, joined SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture in 2010. He received his Bachelor of Science from Clemson University, his Master of Science from the University of Vermont and his doctoral degree from Virginia Tech.

Stovall teaches dendrology and silviculture, among a number of other graduate and undergraduate courses. Each summer he teaches a travel course on field ecology in the southern Appalachian Mountains. His research focuses on restoring severely disturbed ecosystems using various silvicultural tools, such as herbicides, mechanical site preparation and thinning. Stovall also serves as the faculty advisor to the Sylvans, SFA’s timbersports team that has won four of the past five Southern Forestry Conclaves.

College of Liberal and Applied Arts

Dr. Steven Galatas, associate professor of political science, joined the SFA faculty in fall 2005. Galatas received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Ouachita Baptist University, his master’s in political science from Vanderbilt University and his doctoral degree from the University of Missouri.

He teaches basic courses in American and Texas government, as well as advanced courses in the politics of the Middle East, European countries and the European Union.

He has led study-abroad programs to Germany, Belgium and Canada. His research examines links between party competition, partisanship and voter turnout in elections in Texas, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

College of Sciences and Mathematics

Dr. Sarah Canterberry, associate professor in the Department of Biology, teaches courses for biology majors and non-majors and enjoys the diverse population of students. She is the faculty advisor for several clubs, including Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society, Women in STEM and Yoseikan Budo.

A native of Nacogdoches County, Canterberry began her academic career at SFA, and returned as a faculty member in 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science in 2001 and her doctoral degree in genetics in 2006, both from Texas A&M University.

She spent two years as a postdoctoral research scientist in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. Canterberry’s research interests include surveys of pathogens carried by insects in East Texas and genes associated with normal muscle development.

Adjunct Teaching

SFA also will recognize Todd Barrios, clinical instructor in SFA’s School of Human Sciences’ hospitality administration program, with the Faculty Senate Teaching Excellence Award, which honors non-tenure track faculty members.

A certified executive chef through the American Culinary Federation, Barrios is ServSafe certified in food safety and sanitation and as an instructor. He is a registered ServSafe examination proctor through the National Restaurant Association. Additional focus areas are culinary arts and food service management.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics with a concentration in hospitality and institutional services and a Master of Arts in adult education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Barrios is originally from New Orleans and has extensive restaurant management and culinary experience.

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

Standing in front of their peers inside Stephen F. Austin State University’s film house, four mass communication students take deep breaths and begin their advertising presentation.

“Who is Ocean Spray?” Holly Moore, SFA mass communication student, asks the audience.

Recently, SFA students held a mock presentation to prepare for the annual American Advertising Federation conference and competition, which will take place Saturday, April 14, through Monday, April 16, in Corpus Christi.

Brad Maule, lecturer and instructor in SFA’s School of Theatre and School of Art, stood in as a judge and critiqued the students on their presentation.

Since fall 2017, students from SFA’s Department of Mass Communication, Rusche College of Business and School of Art have collaborated to build an advertising campaign for Ocean Spray Cranberries for the annual AAF competition where they will compete against 16 universities across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

“Advertising is a hybrid field, and this course leverages the unique skills and knowledge of students and faculty members across mass communication, art and marketing,” said Dr. Seth Bradshaw, assistant professor in the Department of Mass Communication.

Alongside Bradshaw, Dr. Marlene Kahla, professor in the Department of Management and Marketing, and Peter Andrew, professor in the School of Art, also are working with students on this project.

Students were divided into teams and tasked with different responsibilities ranging from research to media planning and presentation. The campaign goal was to increase brand relevance among Millennials between the ages of 24 and 34. Students conducted focus groups, surveys, interviews and secondary data analysis in the fall and translated their research into strategy and creative executions this spring.

“This course facilitates transformative experiences that change students — they are different people after taking this course because so much of the learning takes place outside of the classroom,” Bradshaw said. “One day we are conducting a focus group, another day we’re shooting a commercial, and the next we’re delivering the sales pitch.”

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