Steve Westbrook, EdD

President

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – W.B. Yeats

What drew you to the higher education world?

The transformation I underwent as an undergraduate student was so positive and striking that I knew this experience was one I wanted to help others discover. The impact we can have on the future when we do our job right can literally change lives. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something like that?

What do you enjoy most about your role at SFA?

I may have the best job on campus!  The broad nature of my responsibilities allow me to work with faculty and staff from across the university. Although I really enjoy those collaborations, the best part of my job is the chance I have to work with our great student leaders.  I am energized to be able to use these relationships to help guide SFA through the inevitable changes and future successes we will experience together – that is what I enjoy most!

What do you hope students gain from SFA?

Our collective overarching goal at SFA is to provide transformative experiences for our students. My hope is that our students fully engage in these experiences because I know that if they do they will graduate from SFA prepared for what awaits them during the rest of their lives.

What are you passionate about outside of your role at SFA?

As part of my job I get to participate in a number of evening and weekend activities and events at the university. While that limits the time I have outside of my SFA role, I love to travel and am always planning the “next trip.”

Education and Experience