Everything Nac

Second eight-week semester begins Oct. 15

After transitioning a considerable portion of courses to distance formats as a result of the pandemic, Stephen F. Austin State University has multiplied its fall course section options significantly, announcing that it will be offering 201 course sections during its second eight-week fall semester.

This increase means students interested in enrolling in the second half of fall have dozens of courses from which to build an ideal schedule.

The second eight-week fall semester begins Oct. 15; however, students may register online through Oct. 19.

Students also may continue to register Oct. 20 through 22 by filling out a special permit form. A link to the form is located in mySFA by clicking “Registration Request Form” in the “Register” box under the “Registration” tab. Directions for submitting the form are included in the link.

“We have had an amazing response to our new eight-week semester options and are thrilled we are able to offer so many more courses during the fall’s second half,” said Dr. Steve Bullard, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The eight-week option, coupled with added course sections, means Lumberjacks have more flexibility to build a schedule that works for them — and potentially finish college in less time!”

For more information on fall registration, visit sfasu.edu/registrar/687.asp. If you’re not currently a student, apply to SFA today at ApplyTexas.org.

By Christine Broussard, marketing communications coordinator at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s DeWitt School of Nursing will be partnering with East Texas Community Health Services to provide free flu vaccinations Oct. 7 through 10 during a drive-through event at the DeWitt School of Nursing.

Fourth-semester nursing students in the community health course will administer the shots from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The event is open to the public, and health insurance is not required. Children 4 years of age and older are eligible for a vaccine.

As the weather turns colder and people spend more time inside, the threat of a “trifecta” – a perfect storm of COVID-19, the flu and the measles – looms larger, said Michelle Klein, clinical instructor in the School of Nursing.

“It is recommended now more than ever to get a flu shot,” Klein said.

Klein hopes the convenience as well as the added safety of the drive-through format encourages more people, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly, to attend.

Masks are required for attendees.

For more information about the School of Nursing, visit sfasu.edu/nursing.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist for Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Counseling Clinic at Stephen F. Austin State University is hosting the following free therapy groups for all SFA students and Texas residents via Zoom.

· Stress Management and Relaxation Group, 3 p.m., Monday

· Virtual Support Group for Caregivers, 5 p.m., Monday

· Career Exploration Group, 4 p.m., Tuesday

· Virtual LGBTQ+ Support Group for High School Students, 5 p.m., Wednesday

All group sessions last an hour and will run through the end of the semester.

In addition to the free groups, the clinic continues to accept new clients and waive fees during the pandemic.

Though in-person appointments aren’t possible because of COVID-19 concerns, the clinic is helping clients via Zoom from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Clinic staff members hope to offer in-person sessions again soon.

Once the pandemic is over, the clinic will return to its usual fee system. Costs for community members are determined using a variable fee scale based on gross family income and family size ($5 minimum to $20 maximum per service). SFA students pay $5 per service.

The Counseling Clinic is part of the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership in the James I. Perkins College of Education at SFA. It assists SFA students and community members while training graduate students who are in the practicum and internship portion of their education. These graduate students provide counseling services to clients under the supervision of licensed counselor education faculty members.

For more information or to sign up for the groups, contact the clinic at (936) 468-1041 or sfacounselingclinic@sfasu.edu.

By Jo Gilmore, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Dr. Sarah Straub, assistant professor of education studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, was awarded the 2020-22 Montgomery Professorship for Humane Education in the James I. Perkins College of Education.

“Dr. Straub embodies the spirit of this professorship, and we are excited to see her plans unfold,” said Dr. Brandon Fox, chair of SFA’s Department of Education Studies.

The professorship was established by the late Charlotte Baker Montgomery in memory of her husband, Roger. Its purpose is to encourage and perpetuate the teaching of humane education concepts and methods in public and private elementary and secondary schools through the support of teacher preparation in humane education.

“It is an incredible honor to continue the work of professors like Dr. Brandon Fox and Dr. Leah Kahn,” Straub said. “Humane education pushes for compassion, justice and respect, so I am overwhelmed to be recognized as a faculty member who demonstrates these values.”

Humane education is a process that assists children in developing compassion, a sense of justice and respect for all living things, according to the Humane Education Coalition. It helps children gain the knowledge and understanding to behave according to these principles and foster a sense of responsibility needed to affirm and act upon humane education principles.

It also encourages cognitive, affective and behavioral growth through personal development of critical thinking, problem-solving, perspective taking and empathy as it relates to people, animals, the planet and the intersections among them.

Straub’s plan for the professorship has three main goals: 1) facilitating the summer ELED 4345 Humane and Environmental Education course through an expansion on partnerships built by Kahn, assistant professor of education studies, with ReadingRovers; 2) reviewing and updating the newly identified Roger Montgomery and Charlotte Baker Montgomery Humane Education Collection in the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center; and 3) growing relationships with teachers in the Nacogdoches Independent School District, which Straub plans to do through a coordinated effort with the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee.

Fox; Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the Perkins College of Education; and Dr. Eric Torres, associate chair of the Department of Education Studies, selected Straub for the award.

As the recipient of the professorship, Straub will manage the humane education program, which includes teaching and recruiting students for courses and professional development in the field; maintaining a collection of books and humane education materials for students, teachers and the public; encouraging humane education projects and activities; serving as a TEEAC liaison; and annually attending animal welfare organization conferences.

By Jo Gilmore, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.