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SFA’s Generation Jacks program received a boost of $1.36 million after being awarded a five-year TRIO Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will increase the capacity of the program by 150%. Pictured is the 2025-26 GenJacks cohort.

Stephen F. Austin State University has been awarded a five-year, $1.36 million federal TRIO Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand Generation Jacks, SFA’s first-generation student success program housed within the Cole Student Success Center.

Through the TRIO SSS grant, SFA’s GenJacks program capacity will increase from about 130 students to more than 300 annually — an increase of more than 150%.

The grant marks SFA’s first TRIO program and the first TRIO SSS program in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Region 5, which includes SFA, Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State Colleges in Orange and Port Arthur, and Angelina College.

“GenJacks has been helping first-generation Lumberjacks learn, lead, serve and succeed for more than a decade,” said Dr. Marc Guidry, associate provost. “This grant will allow us to scale a proven model of student success so that many more of our first-generation students can benefit from the academic, personal and career support that the program provides. It’s a transformational moment for SFA and our region.”

Founded in 2014 by Guidry and Dr. Michael Walker, professor of psychology, GenJacks provides an extended learning community designed to help first-generation students thrive throughout their first two years at SFA and beyond. The program combines specialized coursework, faculty and staff success coaching, mentoring, and leadership development to help students navigate college life and prepare for professional success.

The TRIO SSS grant was co-authored by Guidry and Megan Weatherly, executive director of the Lumberjack Learning Commons. Contributors to the grant include Raquel Skidmore, director of the Cole Student Success Center; Dr. Forest Lane, dean, Office of Research and Graduate Studies; Dr. Heather Olson Beal, professor of education studies; and Amy Camacho, assistant director of analysis and projects with the Office of Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research.

Impact and implementation

This grant will greatly impact SFA’s student body. Roughly 40% of SFA’s graduates each year are first-generation students. Many of these students also qualify as low-income, defined as being eligible for a Pell Grant. The percentage of Pell Grant-eligible undergraduates at SFA exceeds both state and national averages as well as those of peer institutions.

“We know from national and institutional data that low-income, first-generation students face barriers to persistence and graduation,” Weatherly said. “This grant gives us the resources to address those challenges directly and further SFA’s mission as a regional comprehensive university dedicated to access and student success.”

First-year GenJacks students are grouped in cohorts to take student success courses together, participate in a Summer Leadership Academy, receive individualized coaching and mentoring, and engage in a sophomore-level practicum that connects their studies to career or graduate school goals. The program’s impact is evident: GenJacks participants have a 56% six-year graduation rate, compared to 48% for first-generation students overall at SFA.

Under the leadership of Skidmore, the Cole Student Success Center has served as the hub of the GenJacks program. The center will guide the implementation of the grant into its daily operations while fostering collaboration across campus.

The grant funds allow the addition of a program director and two coordinators to the GenJacks team. The program is coordinated by Abby Coker, who will continue to play an integral role in GenJacks.

“The Cole Student Success Center is honored to continue leading the GenJacks program,” Skidmore said. “Our team is deeply committed to supporting first-generation students as they develop the skills, confidence and community connections that lead to long-term success. This grant allows us to broaden that impact and serve even more students across campus.”

The TRIO SSS grant will fund GenJacks’ expansion through 2030.

To learn more about first-generation student support at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/genjacks.

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 Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship selected 16 faculty members to participate in the inaugural Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows Program, an initiative designed to integrate entrepreneurial education across all academic disciplines.

The new program equips faculty members from diverse fields with specialized training to embed entrepreneurial principles directly into their coursework. The long-term vision confirms entrepreneurship education is available in majors across the university, ensuring all students can benefit from the opportunities offered through ACE.

“This initiative ensures that a culture of entrepreneurship becomes part of the SFA experience for every student,” said Dr. Raymond Jones, director of SFA’s academic entrepreneurship program. “By embedding innovation across campus, we are preparing all of our graduates, regardless of major, to be leaders and problem-solvers in the modern economy.”

At the same time, a specific entrepreneurship major and minor continue to be housed in the Nelson Rusche College of Business, where students from any discipline can enroll and deepen their understanding of entrepreneurship through the college’s robust curriculum and academic support.

Throughout the fall semester, fellows will undergo intensive, specialized training led by Jones. Following this preparation, the fellows will teach the entrepreneurship courses beginning in spring 2026.

The 16 inaugural fellows were chosen from each of SFA’s six colleges, reflecting SFA’s commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. Faculty members are:

James I. Perkins College of Education

• Dr. Darla O’Dwyer, professor, Department of Allied Health Studies
• Jennifer Luque, clinical instructor, School of Human Sciences and Professional Studies
• Todd Barrios, chef instructor, School of Human Sciences and Professional Studies

Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts

• Derek Johnson, assistant professor, School of Art
• Zachary Howell, assistant professor, School of Art

Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture

• Dr. John Michael Mehaffey, associate professor, Department of Agriculture
• Dr. Anusha Shrestha, assistant professor, Department of Forestry

College of Liberal and Applied Arts

• Dr. Bridget Adams, assistant professor, Department of English and Creative Writing
• Dr. Mario Morera Jimenez, assistant professor, Department of Language and Cultural Studies
• Dr. Bailey Thompson, associate professor, Department of Media and Communication

College of Sciences and Mathematics

• Dr. Kevin Langford, associate professor, Department of Biology
• Dr. Brent Burt, professor, Department of Biology
• Dr. Christopher Aul, associate professor, Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy
• Dr. Eddie Ironsmith, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science

Nelson Rusche College of Business

• Dr. Robert McDermand, senior lecturer, Department of Management and Marketing
• Dr. Amy Mehaffey, lecturer, Department of Management and Marketing

“ACE’s Entrepreneurial Faculty Fellowship Program aims to promote entrepreneurial education across all academic departments, encouraging faculty members to become leaders in innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Todd Brown, associate vice president of academic affairs. “The fellowship serves as a platform for sharing resources, best practices and strategies for embedding entrepreneurial principles into a wide range of fields.”

For more information on ACE, visit sfasu.edu/ace.

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

What started as a quarter-acre plot planted by Stephen F. Austin State University students behind the Agriculture Building in 1985 has blossomed into six themed gardens encompassing 138 acres. To celebrate, SFA Gardens is hosting its 40th Anniversary Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 throughout its gardens.

“SFA Gardens is more than just plants,” said Dr. David Creech, director of SFA Gardens. “It’s a community of people who recognize the value of a large green resource, located in the middle of town, in making a difference in the quality of lives for residents and visitors. With wonderful plant collections, miles and miles of trails, and boardwalks and bridges at every turn, this garden is recognized as a regional resource.”

The community is invited to join SFA Gardens staff and volunteers for a series of scavenger hunts from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mast Arboretum, Kingham Children’s Garden, Gayla Mize Garden, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Pineywoods Native Plant Center and Hinds Park. Participants will discover and learn about the treasures they can find in the gardens.

After the scavenger hunt, community members can enjoy arts and crafts, educational activities, live music and cake from noon to 2 p.m. at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. Individuals or families who participate in the scavenger hunt will be eligible for prizes during the afternoon celebration.

A temporary museum exhibit at the native plant center’s Brundrett Conservation Education Building featuring photographs and other memorabilia from the past 40 years of SFA Gardens will be on display.

SFA Gardens, part of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, provides research opportunities for faculty members and students at SFA and other universities.

“Our gardens are a great setting for learning,” said Kay Jenkins, SFA Gardens educational programs coordinator. “Our SFA faculty members in art, biology, education, environmental science, forestry, horticulture and kinesiology hold classes and labs in the gardens, where their students can experience the natural ecosystems found in East Texas as well as cultivated species from around the world.

“We host hundreds of elementary students from the East Texas region every year for educational programming and invite the community for Family Fun Days,” Jenkins continued.

Nacogdoches has earned the title “Garden Capital of Texas” due in large part to SFA Gardens’ extensive collection of ornamental shrubs and trees, native plant demonstration gardens, and rare trees, shrubs, vines and perennials. SFA Gardens attracts thousands of visitors to Nacogdoches each year, particularly in spring for the azalea blooms and in fall for the colorful foliage. In 2024, the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden and the Gayla Mize Garden were ranked in the top 10 things to do in Nacogdoches by Tripadvisor. Also in 2024, Texas Monthly named SFA Gardens as one of the most underrated travel spots in the Lone Star State – college landmarks edition.

SFA Gardens is largely supported through endowments, memberships, gifts, grants and donations. Commemorate its 40th anniversary by visiting the gardens and considering donating a monetary gift at gosfa.com/givetogardens.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129 or email sfagardens@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 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