Everything Nac

The Stephen F. Austin State University Police Department recently received accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the leading authority for campus public safety. Fewer than 100 agencies have earned this endorsement from IACLEA, which indicates compliance with national best-practice standards in the profession.

“All employees worked diligently to complete this challenging process, and we did so because of our commitment to excellence and a desire to provide professional police services throughout our community,” said SFA Chief of Police John Fields.

IACLEA accreditation signifies an agency’s ongoing commitment to excellence and state-of-the-art performance in every aspect of its operations. SFA President Scott Gordon said the university’s accreditation is well-deserved.

“The SFA Police Department demonstrates the highest level of practices, operations and professionalism each and every day,” Gordon said. “I commend Chief Fields and his officers for the tremendous job they do and their commitment to excellence.”

The accreditation standards guide the recruitment, selection, training, and professional development of agency personnel and overall agency operations.

“We congratulate SFA on achieving IACLEA accreditation, a unique distinction among campus police and public safety agencies,” said IACLEA President Eric Heath, associate vice president for Safety & Security at the University of Chicago. “The men and women protecting campus have proven through policy and practice the commitment to operate at the highest level of the profession.”

The department prepared for the onsite assessment by updating policies and operations and ensuring the public had the opportunity to provide comments to the assessors during the onsite visit.

Fields said the department will seek re-accreditation in four years. For more information about SFA’s UPD, visit www.sfasu.edu/upd.

By Richard Massey, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

For the second year in a row, Stephen F. Austin State University has been named a College of Distinction for supporting undergraduate experiences grounded in a philosophy of well-rounded, individualized engagement, with graduates entering the workforce ready to adapt in an ever-changing society.

Already honored in 2020 for its high-impact approach to education, SFA has again been recognized for business, education, nursing, engineering and career development, with new honors for military support and equity and inclusion.

SFA President Scott Gordon said he was pleased with the College of Distinction recognition, but not surprised by it.

“The faculty and staff at SFA are focused on giving students the programs and support they need to craft a college experience that prepares them for a career after they graduate,” he said. “Experiential learning is a big part of what we do at SFA, and it’s good that it’s being recognized nationally.”

The new accolades were borne out of a need for college curricula that are comprehensive not only in course material, but also in practical- and soft-skills development, Gordon said.

“SFA has met these needs with a blend of liberal arts education, program-specific training, and abundant opportunities for hands-on, real-world application,” he said.

Elements that go into the evaluation include accelerated programs, distance learning, independent study and internships, student-designed majors and study abroad opportunities. Colleges of Distinction doesn’t rank schools, but rather the degree to which universities embrace the complexities of the student experience, giving graduates the ability to become lifelong learners, according to Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction

“We complete a thorough review of the programs in question before giving the awards,” Schritter said. “We’re looking for such qualities as accreditation, breadth of program, advising and mentoring, integration of career services, and successful outcomes for students. It’s wonderful to see how SFA really exemplifies these qualities.”

Since 2000, the Colleges of Distinction website and guidebook have honored school throughout the U.S. for excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education. The schools in the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through a focus on the undergraduate experience. The website and guidebooks provide dynamic college profiles, customized tools and resources for students, parents and high school counselors.

By Richard Massey, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University