Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Student Engagement office invites local alumni and Nacogdoches community members to assist in building the foundation of the annual SFA Homecoming bonfire from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Intramural Fields.

The Homecoming bonfire will be lit the night of Oct. 25. More Homecoming details, including the full schedule and details on the concert headliner, will be released at a future date.

“The bonfire is an opportunity to see the Lumberjack spirit grow and be built upon throughout the weeks prior to celebration,” said Amanda West, assistant director of Student Engagement. “This year, we are asking alumni and friends of SFA to build the foundation. The following weekend, the current student body will complete the structure for us all to celebrate on Oct. 25.”

The event is open for all ages and volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes, but all building materials will be provided. For bonfire safety tips, visit gosfa.com/bonfiresafety.

Volunteers can park alongside Wilson Drive or at Pecan Park near the Intramural Fields. For more information, contact West at Amanda.West@sfasu.edu.

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 37 academic facilities, nine 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 more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

A three-student cohort represented Stephen F. Austin State University at the 12th University Scholars Leadership Symposium in August at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. This marks the first time SFA students have participated in the symposium.

Facilitated through SFA’s Office of International Programs, Oscar Sanchez, Brianna Patterson and Mackenzie Damon joined fellow students from around the world in Thailand to gain tools and confidence to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.

The symposium, organized by Humanitarian Affairs Asia, is designed to empower young leaders who are passionate about addressing global humanitarian challenges. The symposium gathers university students and emerging leaders from around the world to engage in meaningful discussions, workshops and networking sessions focused on sustainable development, social justice and humanitarian efforts.

“This was a new opportunity for SFA to provide students a chance to connect with peers from around the world, learn about the United Nations development goals and participate in humanitarian projects abroad,” said Ines Maxit, study abroad coordinator in SFA’s Office of International Programs. “We hope every experience abroad is transformative in students’ lives and that they use it to enhance their education and open the door for future opportunities. We also hope that by sharing their experience, they will encourage fellow students to follow their steps.”

With this year’s theme “Be the Change,” attendees interacted with likeminded individuals and learned from experts with extensive experience in social change and humanitarian work. Sanchez, a student in SFA’s Rusche College of Business and participant in two study abroad opportunities prior to the symposium, considered this an opportunity of a lifetime.

“Being at the United Nations Conference Centre really made you feel the weight of this event,” Sanchez said. “The speakers were experts in their fields and held a plethora of knowledge that they were willingly imparting to us future leaders in hopes that we would take that knowledge and do the same. Being amongst not just experts from across the world but students from all walks of life also allowed for unique interactions that I never would have experienced otherwise. Truly, it was a chance that I did not believe I ever would have had.”

Presenters ranged from tech visionaries, such as Jack Growden, to social activists, like Ifrah Admed and former MMA champion Bahir Ahmad, who all provided inspiring words for their respective causes and initiatives. According to Damon, the speakers were passionate, inspiring and thought-provoking.

“The speakers gave excellent methods on enhancing our leadership skills as global change makers,” Damon said. “Going to the Leadership Symposium was a life changing experience where I have met many new lifelong friends, and I will cherish those memories for as long as possible.”

For Patterson, the symposium offered a chance for self-evaluation and means to push herself out of her comfort zone.

“The symposium was an incredible way to connect with inspiringly motivated people from all over the world,” Patterson said. “Some of whom had taken steps to start working towards what they felt pulled to do after witnessing what they’ve identified their communities need. I was blown away by other people’s drive, motivation and compassion. Being in this environment pushed me to take a hard look at myself and push myself out of my comfort zone.”

In 2024, OIP recorded a record high 183 students who participated in a study abroad opportunity. Aside from those who participated in the symposium, 176 students participated in a faculty-led program and four students studied abroad independently.

“International experiences such as the symposium bring personal and professional growth, challenge perspectives and help build a global network,” Maxit said. “In today’s global society, all these things help to gain a competitive edge in the job market. SFA offers many international opportunities either to study, intern, research or volunteer, and students looking for a global experience just need to contact OIP for information and guidance. Furthermore, students need to keep in mind that they have a tremendous network of support at SFA.”

For more information about OIP, visit sfasu.edu/oip.

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 37 academic facilities, nine 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 more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of the Provost has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that aims to enhance the academic performance, retention and graduation rates of nursing students.

SFA was selected out of 26 institutions across Texas to receive the competitive Student Success Acceleration Program 2.0 grant, “Accelerating Nursing Students’ Success.” This program aligns with state and national efforts to address the critical shortage of registered nurses.

Texas is projected to experience a 15% increase in demand for registered nurses over the next 10 years. The initiative not only aims to graduate more SFA nursing majors but also equips them with the tools to manage the high levels of stress and anxiety inherent in the field, investing in overall success and well-being in their career.

“This grant supports two of SFA’s marquee programs at once — nursing and social work. I am especially pleased that all the money goes to students in the form of scholarships, stipends and supplies,” said Dr. Marc Guidry, associate provost for the Division of Academic Affairs. “The resources provided by this grant will enable more of our nursing students to persist and graduate with their registered nurse license while providing hands-on training for our graduate social work majors. It is a double-win for SFA and the state of Texas.”

Guidry was the primary investigator for the grant. The project will be managed by Dr. Tamara Harris, director of the DeWitt School of Nursing, and Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, Buddy Zeagler Endowed Professor and director of the doctoral program in the School of Social Work. Together, they will oversee a multi-faceted approach designed to support first- and second-year nursing students through a combination of academic and wellness initiatives.

These initiatives include intervening when a nursing student is struggling, ensuring they get the help they need in the correct area of their life.

To assist in the needs of nursing students challenged by rigorous classwork and course load, SFA will encourage nursing majors to attend tutoring services offered by the university’s Academic Assistance and Resource Center. The grant will also cover the cost of some school supplies and provide scholarships for textbooks and lab kits, particularly for pregnant and parenting nursing majors.

“This grant will support students in developing the life skills required to be successful in the program and keep them healthy throughout their professional nursing careers,” said Harris. “Through financial assistance to pregnant and parenting students, who we know often are trying to hold down a job, attend school and take care of a family, the grant should help lighten the load and stress of this added responsibility.”

This approach builds on SFA’s existing strengths, including more than a decade of data from the AARC showing that students who attend tutoring sessions five or more times in a semester see significant improvements in GPA and retention.

To assist the anxiety and stress nursing students face, students in the School of Social Work will serve as case managers for first- and second-year nursing students. They will conduct workshops and webinars on mental health, well-being, academic mindsets and self-care to give nursing students tools for stress management and anxiety.

“The School of Social Work is proud to be part of a project that will retain nursing students and provide leadership opportunities for the social work students,” said Oliphant. “The National Association of Social Workers describes social work mentoring as a transformative power. We know this project will be transformative for our nursing and social work students.”

For more information about both programs, visit sfasu.edu/nursing and sfasu.edu/socialwork.

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 37 academic facilities, nine 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 more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications