NACOGDOCHES, Texas — In its continued efforts to seek new avenues for reducing barriers to higher education, Stephen F. Austin State University has unveiled a new program aimed at recognizing high-achieving SFA undergraduates by fast tracking them into a graduate program of their choice.

Created through the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Axe-celerated Admission allows faculty members to nominate standout students once a year in the spring for VIP admission into a graduate program of their choice at SFA.

Stephen F. Austin State University has named a new vice president for student affairs.

Dr. Brandon Frye, who currently serves as associate vice president for academic engagement and student affairs at the University of West Florida, will join the SFA staff on Feb. 4 and will lead the student affairs division, which comprises student programs and services, including housing, student engagement, counseling and wellness.

Individuals interested in aviation will soon have the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree that leads to aircraft pilot certification at Stephen F. Austin State University, following approval by the Board of Regents during a specially called meeting Thursday.

The university plans to partner with an aviation training school to offering the new bachelor’s degree. Two aviation training firms responded to a request for proposals issued by the university, and HCH Aviation was selected as a partner.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas ¬ Students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Mass Communication and Department of Management and Marketing recently took part in a virtual competition for the American Advertising Federation.

SFA was one of 18 schools to take part in the competition. More than 70 students across Texas participated.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — 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.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas  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.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — A new certification program in the Stephen F. Austin State  University James I. Perkins College of Education will help prepare students to become board-certified behavior analysts who apply behavioral principles to solve social problems.

“ABA-certified individuals provide services critical to our community,” said Dr. Luis Aguerrevere, interim chair of the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership at SFA. “They teach children and adults specific behavioral skills, which include communication, self-help and social skills.”

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The school psychology program at Stephen F. Austin State University has received a nearly $15,000 grant from the Texas Woman’s University Woodcock Institute to research why children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder lose focus specifically during searching activities like a game requiring them to spot missing objects.

“Thank you for allowing us to support your important line of research,” said Dr. David C. Miller, executive director of the research institute, in SFA’s notification letter.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Two graduating seniors in the health science program at Stephen F. Austin State University spent their fall internships helping university officials conduct contact tracing for COVID-19 cases reported on campus.

Wendy Chavez of Houston and Frankcheskia Pyrtle of Conroe gained real-world experience through their internships, which were established by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs to help SFA Health Services manage COVID-19 cases on campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s chief diversity officer has been appointed to serve as an interim vice president for the institution.
 
Dr. Michara DeLaney-Fields will serve as interim vice president for student affairs beginning Dec. 19. DeLaney-Fields joined the SFA staff in 2019 as assistant dean of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and was promoted to chief diversity officer in August of this year.