Everything Nac

A Jack Walker leads a campus tour for students and their families at Stephen F. Austin State University. SFA recently broke its single-day application record with 2,700 submitted applications. The university is waiving application fees through Dec. 1.

Stephen F. Austin State University recently broke its single-day application record with 2,700 submitted applications thanks in part to Free College Application Week.

Administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board the second full week of October, the initiative helps Texas residents apply to public colleges at no cost.

“This is part of the statewide push to make college more accessible for all Texans, with SFA leading the way,” said Dr. Kent Willis, senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. “SFA will continue to waive application fees through Dec. 1.”

Willis credited the record-breaking numbers in part to SFA’s 2023 affiliation with The University of Texas System, which has expanded the university’s reach, reputation and resources.

“This milestone is a tangible result of our partnership with the UT System,” Willis said. “Our Purple Promise program and transfer pathway initiatives are opening doors for rural, first-generation and transfer students who want to earn their degrees at SFA.”

Purple Promise, which covers tuition and fees for high school and transfer students with a family income of $100,000 or less, and expanded transfer pathways from community colleges are helping more Texans access an SFA education.

Many students have shared that these initiatives have made earning a college degree not only possible but deeply meaningful — especially for those who are the first in their families to attend a university or who come from small, rural communities. For many, SFA’s supportive and connected campus culture has been a deciding factor in their college choice.

“It was the small-campus feel, the energy on campus, and how involved the faculty are with students that really drew me to SFA,” said Kason Cauley, a first-year human resource management student from Denton.

Billy Stewart, a kinesiology transfer student from Tyler Junior College, said the encouragement of his former high school coaches — who are also SFA alumni — helped guide his decision to become a Lumberjack.

“The friendly campus environment and amazing academic support and mentorship opportunities, along with being part of the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance, have all made my transition to SFA seamless,” Stewart said.

SFA faculty and staff are working hard to share the qualities Cauley and Stewart love about being a Lumberjack with prospective students across the nation.

“For years, many have seen SFA as Texas’ best-kept secret,” said Dr. J.D. Salas, director of SFA’s School of Music. “Today, our faculty and staff are working hard to change that by showing students across Texas and beyond just how much they matter here.

“Every new student who joins our campus brings a spark of curiosity and possibility,” Salas continued. “They don’t just fill our classrooms — they energize our community with fresh perspectives that fuel innovation and growth.”

Like faculty, staff and students, Willis said he’s excited about the university’s momentum.

“This means more highly qualified applicants, more opportunities and a stronger Lumberjack community.”

To apply to SFA by Dec. 1 and have your application fee waived, visit sfasu.edu/apply.

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

Sophia Clinger, an education studies senior at Stephen F. Austin State University, was one of 18 college students selected from 500 applicants to participate in the Women and the Constitution conference hosted by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia recently. Clinger, of Crosby, is the first preservice teacher ever to be selected by the center for the honor.

The conference is part of the broader Women and the Constitution initiative launched by the center in 2020 on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s ratification. Clinger, a student in SFA’s educator preparation program, is training to be a social studies teacher, which helped her stand out among the applicants, according to Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies at SFA. Teachers selected for the honor are usually in-service teachers already working in the classroom, not preservice teachers still in college.

“I’m so proud of Sophia for applying for this amazing opportunity,” Straub said. “Experiences like this let her see history up close, learn from experts and connect with teachers who’ve been in the classroom. She’s didn’t just learn facts — she learned how to help her future students think critically about our history and why it matters today.”

Clinger spent three days connecting with scholars who specialize in women’s suffrage from both historical and legal perspectives. She explored the 19th Amendment exhibit and Signers’ Hall, and gained powerful insights into the fight for women’s equality. The program was fully funded, covering travel, meals and lodging.

“I want to thank Dr. Straub so much for sharing the application information with me,” Clinger said. “This has been such a wonderful opportunity. I am the first history preservice teacher ever to attend this conference. I have learned so much from the resources provided and the scholars and other teachers who attended. It was an emotional and empowering experience.”

In addition to the educational and networking opportunities, Clinger enjoyed Philadelphia’s historic district, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin’s printing press and historic Quaker meeting houses.

For more information on SFA’s educator preparation program, visit gosfa.com/edprep.

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

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Schlief School of Accountancy, housed within the Nelson Rusche College of Business, has announced the formation of its inaugural advisory council — an initiative aimed at strengthening the bridge between academia and the rapidly evolving accounting profession.

With programs serving 270 students across its Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy degrees, the school is committed to staying ahead of industry trends, and this new council marks a strategic step forward.

“The primary goal is to harness the knowledge, experience and connections of our advisory council members to guide the school in aligning our academic offerings with the dynamic demands of the accounting profession,” said Dr. Jose Vega, director of the Schlief School of Accountancy. “With ongoing changes in legislation and rapid advancements in accounting technology, this is more important than ever.”

According to Vega, the advisory council will play a key role in expanding career networks for students, increasing graduate job placements and enhancing the school’s reputation both regionally and nationally.

The seven inaugural council members were carefully selected for their extensive industry experience and commitment to the continued success of the Schlief School of Accountancy:

Mitchell McCoy ’11 — A certified public accountant and partner at Heard, McElroy & Vestal in Shreveport, McCoy serves clients from his Longview office, specializing in audit, consulting and tax services. His areas of focus include telecommunications, water utilities, not-for-profit organizations and employee benefit plan audits. He holds both a BBA in accounting and an MPA from SFA, and he is serving as chair of the Schlief School of Accountancy Advisory Council.

LeeAnne (Amanda) Camp ’21 — Currently the chief financial officer at Burke Center in Lufkin, Camp previously held roles as an accountant, accounting manager and director of accounting. Her responsibilities span audit compliance, grant reporting, policy development and fleet management. She holds a BBA in accounting and an MPA from SFA.

Robert Flores ’85 — A former SFA board of regents member, Flores is the CFO and chairman of the board of directors at Elliott Electric Supply in Nacogdoches. He began his career with Elliott Electric while still a student at SFA, helping to shape company-wide accounting policy and reporting processes. He earned his BBA in accounting from SFA.

Dr. Calee Jo Holcombe ’08 — Holcombe is a CPA and staff accountant at Redfield, Miller & White in Nacogdoches. Before joining the firm, she served as an SFA faculty member for nine years. Holcombe holds a BBA in accounting and an MPA from SFA and a Doctor of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University.

Brett Morton ’10 — A CPA and partner at Henry & Peters in Tyler, Morton joined the firm full time in 2010 after interning there as a student. He provides assurance, advisory and tax services across a variety of sectors including financial institutions, oil and gas, manufacturing and employee benefit plans. He earned a BBA in accounting and an MPA from SFA.

David Rook ’97 — Rook is a CPA, partner and chief operating officer at Weaver, a national accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Houston. He collaborates with executive leadership across all operational areas of the firm and plays a key role in executing Weaver’s strategic vision. Rook also serves on the Technical Standards Review and Peer Review committees of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. He earned his BBA in accounting from SFA.

Dr. Jennifer Weske ’90 — Weske is senior manager at The Marston Group and serves as chair and director of the Master of Accountancy program at Christian Brothers University. She is a CPA, certified fraud examiner, certified forensic accountant, chartered global management accountant and registered forensic investigator. In addition to teaching accounting and ethics at Christian Brothers, she is an adjunct professor at Rhodes College. Weske holds a BBA in accounting from SFA, an MBA in finance from the University of Memphis and a Doctor of Philosophy in advanced forensic accounting from Northcentral University.

“The launch of the Schlief School of Accountancy Advisory Council is a significant milestone,” Vega said. “By connecting our academic programs with real-world expertise and leadership, we are laying the groundwork for a nationally competitive accounting program — one that delivers exceptional outcomes for students, faculty and the broader business community.”

For more information about the Schlief School of Accountancy, visit sfasu.edu/acct.

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