Moore worked behind the scenes to ensure SFA was safe and healthy during the past year by developing a COVID-19 dashboard and contact tracing system that allowed SFA to reopen campus and keep students safe. While other universities spent large sums of money on comparable systems, Moore worked with Information Technology Services to capture and track positive COVID-19 tests. The tracking system also provided a work order system to the Physical Plant Department to clean areas where any exposure may have occurred.

Moore also participated in the development and placement of signage and creation of an FAQ on the SFA webpage. If a department needed masks, hand sanitizer or shields, he made sure it was stocked and ready for the semester — not to mention, he organized all of SFA's vaccine clinics.

Olson Beal identified a need for supporting professional women at SFA. She brought together female faculty and staff from across campus to brainstorm ways to bolster and support each other. The result was the Organization for Women’s Leadership and Equity, a space that offers advocacy and support for all women on campus.

She is truly an advocate for all and has a wonderful gift of bringing people together. The work she is doing will bring changes that will have an impact for years to come. SFA is lucky to have her.

Faragó co-authored "The role of infant and early childhood mental health consultation in reducing racial and gender relational and discipline disparities between black and White preschoolers," which was recently published in Psychology in the Schools.

The article discusses the early childhood mental health consultation model as a way to address the needs of preschoolers with challenging behaviors.

Cooper delivered the keynote address at the 46th National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas. In his presentation, "Better Together. Building Community Wellness: A Case Example from Rural East Texas," he spoke on the current challenges and strengths of rural communities, defining rurality, and approaches to community building in rural areas with an emphasis on the efforts of Better Together, a social work organization in Nacogdoches County.

Whitsett recently presented “Inclusive Storytelling: How to Create Accessible Social Media Content” at the virtual 2021 Storyteller’s Summit.

The presentation was about the importance of making digital content accessible, which is part of a larger objective — making online communication inclusive so each person can participate in the conversation.

SFA Gardens will host its monthly Lunch Bunch event from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building, 2900 Raguet St., in historic Nacogdoches.

Participants should bring their own lunch and join staff members from SFA Gardens as they share the topics of this year’s Lunch Bunch meetings, which are geared toward garden-minded individuals.

This event raises awareness for upcoming SFA Gardens events and volunteer opportunities, including SFA Gardens plant sales and weekly landscape upkeep on the SFA Gardens grounds. Parking will be available at the nearby Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

For more information, call (936) 468-4404 or visit sfagardens.sfasu.edu.

Effective Sept. 1, PayFlex Systems Inc., will be the new program administrator for TexFlex. WageWorks will continue to manage the program through Aug. 31. This change does not affect how much participants can contribute, eligible expenses or other program rules.

• Participants enrolled in PY22 health care and limited-purpose FSAs will get a new TexFlex debit card from PayFlex in August at no cost to them.

• Current participants with a PY21 health care or limited-purpose FSA should continue to use their TexFlex debit card from WageWorks for eligible expenses through Aug. 31.

• The unlimited carryover applies only to PY21 funds. At the end of PY22 (Aug. 31, 2022), health care and limited-purpose carryovers will be limited to $550, and the dependent care FSAs will go back to the 2 1/2-month grace period instead of a carryover.

For questions about Plan Year 2021 FSAs, contact WageWorks at (844) 884-2364. PayFlex is available to answer general questions now. Starting Aug. 2, they will be able to answer account-specific questions about PY 2022 FSAs. Contact PayFlex at (866) 353-9839.

A detailed explanation of this change may be found on the HR website. Contact benefits@sfasu.edu for additional questions or concerns.

SFA's University Police Department and the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office will conduct training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow in Mays Hall.

The Organization for Women's Leadership and Equity is holding the July general membership meeting at noon today via Zoom. Meet colleagues from across campus and learn about the important work OWLE is doing.

Email Dr. Heather Olson Beal at owle@sfasu.edu for the Zoom link.

From gardening to jigsaw puzzles to baking bread, we’ve done a lot of things to keep ourselves occupied throughout the pandemic.

Inspired by a photo project by anthropologist Paula Zuccotti, NPR asked readers what items have brought them joy during these difficult times.

Click here to read what they chose and why.