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Stephen F. Austin State University hosted the East Region Winter Seminar offered by the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, connecting dietetics experts, professionals and students to discuss the latest advancements in nutritional science and integrative health. The event highlighted SFA’s commitment to training future nutrition professionals and addressing health needs in East Texas. Students and professionals alike gained valuable insights and networking opportunities at the seminar.

“The more perspectives you can get, the more knowledge you’re going to have, so that’s one of the best things that come out of these seminars,” said Hailey Gamboa, an attendee and graduate student from Murphy in SFA’s Master of Science in nutrition and integrative health program. “We get to learn from people who research and dedicate their lives to a certain condition or area of study.”

Organized by Sarah Drake, clinical instructor in SFA’s School of Human Sciences and director of TAND’s east region, the seminar offered presentation topics ranging from nutritional strategies to the evolving role of dietitians in health care settings.

“Similarly to the first presenter’s story, I had my own nutritional health problems that led me to do research on what I was experiencing. That’s how I found my way to dietetics and discovered how nutrition plays a really big role in your physical and mental health,” said Tesla Maxwell, a senior from Frisco in the Bachelor of Science in dietetics and nutritional sciences program.

More conversation is happening around the concept that “your gut and your brain are connected,” Maxwell added. “That interests me a lot and is what I’m hoping to go into — mental health and women’s health specifically — after I graduate.”

Supporting both local and distance students, SFA’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition offer multiple pathways for students who are interested in nutritional sciences, including a focus in integrative and functional nutrition.

“Our programs serve an important need given the alarming state of health in the area and the country,” said Dr. Darla O’Dwyer, professor of dietetics and nutritional sciences. “We train professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver nutrition services in an environment where nutrition must be prioritized to improve the health of East Texans and the region.”

SFA’s BS in dietetics and nutritional sciences is designed for students seeking to become registered dietitians or to support further education as pre-health professionals. The MS in nutrition and integrative health assists students pursuing a registered dietitian pathway or those wanting to expand their knowledge base in integrative and functional nutrition.

“Nutrition is really the direction medicine needs to go,” said Garrett Smith, a junior dietetics and nutritional sciences major on the pre-med track from Little Elm. “The faculty in this program help improve the nutrition of East Texas through volunteer programs, their work as dietitians and their work as health care providers. They have personally encouraged me in my goal of becoming a doctor. They are by far the most supportive and inspiring people and professors I’ve ever met.”

To learn more about SFA’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition, visit gosfa.com/BS-nutrition or gosfa.com/MS-nutrition.

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 40 academic facilities, 11 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 over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Laney Wise, senior graphic design student in Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Art, received the Lyle Metzdorf Scholarship from the Advertising Education Foundation of Houston during an awards luncheon at the Junior League of Houston. Photo by Isabella Palmisano.

“Being an AEFH scholar has been rewarding as I prepare to graduate and search for a job in the industry,” Wise said. “The Advertising Education Foundation of Houston has connected me to new opportunities and given me the ability to expand my network, and that is something I am truly grateful for. The creative industry and greater advertising industry is a daunting field to break into, and I am incredibly thankful to AEFH for helping me get my foot in the door.”

According to Wise, AEFH, a chapter of the American Advertising Federation, selects one candidate from each university within AAF’s District 10, and those candidates serve as their university’s scholarship representative for the year.

“To be recognized alongside the prestigious list of other SFA award recipients from years past is something I am incredibly grateful for,” Wise said. “Since winning the award, I have been able to help my peers and those earlier on in their academic career at SFA learn about the application process and give them tips to make their applications to the AEFH scholarship fund more successful.”

Wise, a Keller native, serves as regional graphic design intern for Lumberjack Eats and Chartwells Higher Education as well as creative intern for SFA Athletics. Wise also is the Stone Fort yearbook editor-in-chief, garnering multiple Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and College Media Association Pinnacle awards for her work. She also is a two-time competitor in the AAF Houston annual conference and team leader on the 2025 AAF National Student Advertising Competition for client AT&T.

A student in SFA’s School of Honors, Wise has maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a spot on the President’s Honor Roll. She is a multiple-time Lumberjack Achievement Award finalist for Student Journalist of the Year, Student Employee of the Year, SFA Way Award, Emerging Student Leader of the Year, and Baker Pattillo Student Leader of the Year.

According to Wise, the scholarship has provided a wide array of career-building opportunities and professional development. She credited the support of multiple SFA faculty members in helping her achieve this recognition, including Danny Anguiano, associate professor of graphic design; Peter Andrew, professor of graphic design; Dr. Marlene Kahla, professor of management and marketing; and Dr. Derek Walton, assistant professor of sports business.

“Laney’s qualifications for the Lyle Metzdorf Scholarship include her stellar academic achievements, extraordinary design accomplishments working on the Stone Fort yearbook, sheer enthusiasm and meritorious service work,” Andrew said. “Laney is fun to work with and super helpful to her classmates. A candidate like Laney models an array of character strengths at high levels.”

To learn more about SFA’s School of Art, visit sfasu.edu/art.

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 40 academic facilities, 11 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 over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications