Stephen F. Austin State University

Dear faculty and staff,

I am writing to share important news regarding a leadership transition within our university community. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Dr. Lorenzo Smith, our provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, will transition into the role of special assistant to the president for academic strategies and we will begin a national search for SFA’s next executive vice president and provost.

Dr. Smith has made a significant impact during his tenure as provost, championing initiatives that have enhanced our academic programs and strengthened the university’s mission of excellence. In his four years of service, Dr. Smith served under four presidents while navigating the Division of Academic Affairs through times of significant uncertainty. Partnering with staff and faculty, Dr. Smith launched the Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation, introduced the Center for Professional and Continuing Education, and created the SFA Makerspace in Steen Library. Additionally, he reorganized the library’s staff structure; partnered with the deans to increase SFA’s student-to-faculty ratio by 1.4; and supported the reallocation of resources to strengthen academic programs, such as those in the areas of animation, music composition, computer science, construction management and aviation sciences.

Working further with stakeholders on campus, Dr. Smith championed the expansion of study abroad experiences and the Office of International Programs, as well as the infrastructure for incoming international faculty members seeking green card status. He introduced contribution margin analysis for informing decision-making around faculty hiring and academic program management; implemented an early version of The University of Texas System’s STARs program at SFA; established the creation of the Jack Stars program to support research and creative activity among faculty members in the arts, humanities and social sciences; and funded career ladder salary increases for academic advisors.

During the past year, Dr. Smith supported enrollment growth initiatives by directing additional support for the Academic Assistance and Resource Center; adding a new line for an associate registrar to support Degree Works; and worked across campus to create the Competitive Academic Student Success Organizations program, or COMPASSO, which is designed to boost success among competitive student organizations, particularly among first-year students.

To ensure continuity and leadership within the Division of Academic Affairs, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education, will serve as interim provost until our next provost is named. Dr. Abbott’s deep understanding of SFA’s academic priorities and the institutional knowledge she’s built up over decades make her particularly qualified to guide us through this period of transition.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Smith on his new role and extending best wishes as he embarks on this next chapter of service to SFA. I am confident his contributions will continue to strengthen our institution and provide new opportunities for success. Likewise, I hope you will offer your support and encouragement to Dr. Abbott as she takes on this important interim role.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our students and to SFA. Together, I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Dr. Neal Weaver

President