Service Excellence Awards

 ​2025 Service Excellence Award Recipients 

Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture

Dr. Jeremy Stovall is the Bone Hill Foundation Distinguished Professor of Silviculture at Stephen F. Austin State University. He teaches dendrology and a variety of courses focused on silviculture, and is actively involved in research focused on invasive species management, mineland reclamation and bottomland hardwood regeneration dynamics. Stovall advises the Sylvans, SFA’s forestry club and timbersports team that has won 10 of the past 11 annual southern forestry conclaves. 

Since 2010, Stovall’s research program has resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, over $1.5 million in extramural research funding secured, over 70 conference presentations, and more than a dozen graduate students mentored. He has taught a course on forest ecology of the Southern Appalachians, camping with students for weeks at a time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He created and maintains six websites that provide high-quality open educational resources on topics such as tree identification, forest management and the history and practice of timbersports. 

Stovall has chaired the SFA Faculty Senate and Lufkin-Nacogdoches chapter of the Society of American Foresters. He also served on the Texas Forestry Association Board of Directors.

College of Liberal and Applied Arts

Dr. Mario Morera is an assistant professor and program coordinator in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication. While at Stephen F. Austin State University, Morera has developed a series of new courses that are now used for the department’s Certificate in Translation and Interpretation, leading to several service projects. He also has led study abroad programs in Spain and Brazil. 

Born in Heredia, Costa Rica, he received his Bachelor of Arts in English and translation at the University of Costa Rica; a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in English, Spanish and Latin American Studies from SFA; and a doctorate in Latin American dystopian studies from Texas Tech University. 

His service work at SFA has primarily focused on translation efforts to foster inclusivity, especially for Latino families, starting with collaborations with the Office of the Registrar to ensure accessible information. He translated materials for the City of Nacogdoches’ COVID-19 pandemic information campaign, critical documents for SFA’s police department and materials for the Lufkin ISD-Texas Afterschool Centers on Education program. He also created ESL and diabetic education resources for the City of Lufkin. Additionally, he served as executive director of the Southwest Council of Latin American Studies from 2022-24, organizing three international conferences. He will continue as a SCOLAS consultant this year.

College of Sciences and Mathematics 

Dr. Mindy Faulkner is an associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Geologic Resources at Stephen F. Austin University, where she also serves as the College of Sciences and Mathematics undergraduate research coordinator. Faulkner has been teaching since 2005 and has held various positions within the department. She earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental geology in 2002, a Master of Science in geology in 2006 and a doctorate in forestry in 2016.

Faulkner has worked to support both students and colleagues throughout her career. She has served as the department laboratory coordinator and currently contributes to administrative projects, including the development of online laboratory kits and courses, as well as coordinating curriculum revisions and annual program assessments. At the college and university levels, she plays an active role on the Undergraduate Curriculum Council, coordinates the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, and works with the STEM Education and Research Center and local high schools to support STEM education and science fair participation. 

Faulkner teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in geochemistry, natural resources and environmental geology. Her research focuses on the geologic controls on the spatial distribution of natural resources, integrating geoscience, hydrogeology, geochemistry and ecological systems. Current projects involve the use of field methods, instrumentation and remote sensing techniques to study geologic and geochemical phenomena in East Texas and Central Arkansas.

James I. Perkins College of Education

As an associate professor in the Department of Education Studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, Dr. Sarah M. Straub champions initiatives that enhance student engagement, faculty development and multicultural education. Her service reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive, research-driven and culturally responsive learning environments. 

At the departmental level, Straub has served as the marketing and recruitment chair. She currently chairs the Study Abroad/Away Committee and has hosted training sessions to prepare students for international academic experiences. Additionally, as chair of the Undergraduate Student Research Committee, Straub ensures student representation at SFA’s Undergraduate Research Conference while facilitating opportunities for students to present at external conferences. 

At the college level, Straub has served as the chair of the James I. Perkins College of Education Access and Opportunity Committee, for which she spearheaded strategic initiatives such as the Gateways, Not Gatekeepers event. At the university level, Straub served on the Academic Affairs Policy Committee, ensuring alignment between SFA’s policies and those of The University of Texas System. Her leadership in the Faculty Senate, for which she has served as treasurer and secretary, reflects her dedication to faculty advocacy and institutional development. 

Through the Montgomery Professorship, Straub has brought renowned speakers to campus and funded training for public school teachers. Her partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has allowed for several successful years of the East Texas Adventurers program. 

Beyond SFA, Straub co-directed Academia de Pensadores Críticos, a bilingual education program for newcomer students in Nacogdoches ISD, and participates in professional organizations, particularly the National Association for Multicultural Education. As president of TXNAME, she chairs multiple committees. As co-editor of the Journal for Social Studies and History Education, she collaborates with scholars to advance the field of multicultural and social studies education.

Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts  

Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone, is active worldwide as a teacher and performer. She has been a performing artist for Rath Trombones, England, performing member of Monarch Brass and director of the Composers Workshop for the International Trombone Festival, which helps introduce new music compositions for trombone. 

Scott is regularly a featured artist at Trombonanza in Argentina, and featured at other international venues in Japan, Germany and the Czech Republic. 

Her solo CD, "Playing Favorites," was released in 2017 by Navona Records, and tracks are regularly featured in radio broadcasts throughout the world. Described as “one of the premiere soloists for her instrument,” she participated in Christopher Bill's "Bonehemian Rhapsody" Youtube video with 3 million views, featuring 28 trombonists from throughout the world. 

Scott received the SFASU Foundation’s Faculty Achievement Award for research and creativity in 2023, and was named the Teaching Excellence Award recipient for the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts in 2019.

Nelson Rusche College of Business 

Dr. Chris McKenna is an associate professor of business communication in the Nelson Rusche College of Business. Prior to joining Stephen F. Austin State University a decade ago, he was a financial technology manager at several world-class banks, brokerages and hedge funds for over 20 years. 

A former Faculty Senate chair, McKenna continues to work diligently with its Policy Committee to review and suggest modifications to dozens of policies and procedures across campus. He also contributes to significant committee initiatives within his college as well as regional and international business-communication academic groups. He also served as a faculty representative on the most recent SFA presidential search committee. 

In the classroom, McKenna offers several business communication, professional development and information technology courses. All feature experiential-learning assignments designed specifically to prepare students for workplace success. Moreover, significant office time is dedicated toward counseling students on improving their résumés and their interviewing skills. 

McKenna earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and economics from the University of Virginia and a Master of Arts and doctorate in English from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Service Excellence Award Recipients from Previous Years