Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University has named a longtime student affairs staff member to serve as interim dean of students.

Dr. Hollie Gammel Smith, assistant dean of student affairs for programs, supervises student engagement programs, the Center for Career and Professional Development and SFA’s award-winning Spirit Teams. Recently, she also has managed SFA’s COVID-19 contact tracing.

In her interim role, she will supervise SFA Counseling Services and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, serve as chair of the Behavioral Intervention Team and advise the Student Government Association.

Smith was selected to serve in the role by Dr. Michara DeLaney-Fields, SFA’s interim vice president for student affairs.

“Dr. Smith is equipped with the skill set to serve in this capacity,” Fields said. “She is committed to this university and serving our students.”

After joining the SFA staff in 2005, Smith was named assistant dean in 2011, where she supervises a department with 16 full-time staff members, six graduate assistants and numerous student employees. Smith also serves as an adjunct professor of psychology and educational leadership.

She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology, both from SFA, as well as a doctoral degree in education from Texas A&M Commerce. She has a history of publications, research and presentations dating back to 2001.

Smith will serve as interim until a permanent replacement is hired for current dean of students Dr. Adam Peck, who accepted the position of assistant vice president at Illinois State University.

Despite the challenges of 2020, many community members have stepped up through various acts of service to help their family, friends and neighbors. In order to help better meet the needs of individuals near and far, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is encouraging students to participate in its MLK Day of Service in Nacogdoches or virtually in their local communities.

“Due to social distancing regulations, we want to provide virtual students with a way to still participate in this important day,” said Star Jackson, OMA student ambassador. “Even though we can’t all be together, it is heartwarming to know Lumberjacks all over will be serving their community in a special way.”

Locally, OMA has partnered with 16 different agencies to complete projects, including SFA’s The Pantry and Appleby Community Farm, Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful, Nacogdoches Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden and Millard’s Crossing Historic Village. Students also will complete projects for individual Nacogdoches residents.

The annual event will take place Jan. 18, 2021. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Kofi Smith, president and CEO of Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company, will deliver the keynote speech at 9 a.m. Students who participate in the MLK Day of Service in Nacogdoches will receive a free lunch, and T-shirts will be provided to all volunteers who complete their assigned projects.

Nacogdoches community members are encouraged to submit project proposals by Jan. 8. Past projects have included painting, landscaping and cleaning. Projects will be assigned to students on the day of the event.

The OMA also is inviting SFA faculty and staff and Nacogdoches community members to serve as site mentors who will work alongside students to complete projects. Site mentors are encouraged to share leadership advice and help educate students about the community. They can sign up to volunteer through Jan. 7 online at sfasu.edu/oma.

MLK Day of Service was initiated to honor the acts of service by the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1994, MLK Day was designated as a national day of service and is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

“This day is not a day of selfishness, but of selflessness,” Jackson said. “There is truly an opportunity for every member of the community to be involved.”

For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at oma@sfasu.edu, or visit sfasu.edu/oma.

By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist, at Stephen F. Austin State University.