Drs. Rachel Jumper, associate professor of human sciences; and Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies; completed a collaborative self-study titled “A collaborative self-study and implementation exercise for improved equity-centered practices.” The study is an evaluative review of their online courses using the Digital Learning Equity Framework.

SFA Today will pause publication during the winter break. Today’s edition is the last of the fall semester.

Publication will resume Jan. 18.

The Professional Academic Advising Council meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. today will be held via Zoom. Usually held in the Wyatt Room of the Steen Library, the meeting was moved due to technological issues. Faculty members and professional advisors are invited to attend.

To be included in the PAAC email list, contact Kara Predmore at kara.predmore@sfasu.edu.

To show appreciation for faculty and staff members, SFA’s Barnes & Noble Bookstore is offering employees an additional 10% discount for a total 20% off on school spirit apparel and gift purchases. Today is the final day to claim the additional discount.

SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. today in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Dr. David Creech, director of SFA Gardens, will present “Is the Pineywoods Native Plant Center a Case Study of Divine Intervention … or Maybe Not? Capitalizing on the Best Plants, Plans and People to Create a Green Resource for the Gulf South.”

Those planning on cleaning out their closet over the break should keep the Center for Career and Professional Development’s Career Closet in mind.

CCPD is accepting donations of new and gently used professional clothing students can borrow for free for interviews, career fairs, class presentations and other events. VIP Cleaners dry cleans all clothing. CCPD also accepts professional shoes, suits, shirts, ties, dresses and skirts.

To donate, drop off items during business hours on the third floor of the Baker Pattillo Student Center, Room 3.302. For more information, contact CCPD at (936) 468-3305 or ccpd@sfasu.edu.

Spring 2024 faculty members are invited to join Herbert Midgley, SFA Makerspace’s faculty fellow, for “Innovate, Educate, Create: Integrating the Makerspace into Your Curriculum” from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 12 at the SFA Makerspace on the first floor of the Steen Library.

In this one-hour discussion, Midgley will share examples of ways to integrate maker activities and the SFA Makerspace in your classes. Come prepared to brainstorm with colleagues, exchange ideas on current and potential offerings and chat with Makerspace staff members about equipment and possibilities.

Lunch will be provided for the first 30 registrants. To register, complete the registration form.

For more information, contact makerspace@sfasu.edu.

Cynthia Trapanese, a senior lecturer in the humane education program at Antioch University, will present “Teaching to be kind: Humane Education in the Classroom” for SFA’s Montgomery Professorship for Human Education Speaker Series at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center.

As you head into winter break, keep in mind there is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and community members to share research on identity and student experiences at the inaugural RAISE Conference held in January. This year’s theme is “The Research Odyssey: Charting New Waters in Identities, Experiences and Community Engagement,” and a call for proposals is available.

If you have a proposal ready, email it to raise@sfasu.edu until a platform is available. For more information, contact Dr. Gina Fe Causin, associate professor and co-director of the RAISE Center, at causingf@sfasu.edu.

The University Police Department had another successful Shop with a Cop event. With the help of generous sponsors and volunteers, UPD sponsored 31 children with the hope to positively impact them so they will look up to first responders and others as they grow older. The Nacogdoches Police Department and the Nacogdoches Fire Department also were invited to help.

Sponsors and volunteers included: The Charles & Lois Marie Bright Foundation; SFA Alumni Association; Jeremy and Brandi Pickett; Concerned Black Men of Nacogdoches; Office of Title IX; Student Development and Access Services; Omega Psi Phi Etta Kappa Kappa; Nacogdoches Probation; SFA Leadership; UPD leadership, staff members and student workers; UT System Police; and Walmart.

UPD also expressed their appreciation to everyone who donated to the Toys for Tots drive.

Hospitality students in the James I. Perkins College of Education volunteered with the university’s Project RAICES, a grant-funded initiative to increase the number of ESL-certified teachers in East Texas and to provide resources to parents of English learners, during its two community events this semester Oct. 7 and Nov. 18.

Taught by Dr. Gina Fe Causin, associate professor of hospitality administration, the School of Human Sciences’ course “Meetings, Events, Expositions and Technology” had 16 students who participated in the event.

Spring 2024 LEAP applications for eligible participants – SFA employees, their spouses and dependents – are available now in mySFA. The application form can be accessed in the “Benefits” section of the Employee tab. Approved LEAP exemptions will be applied to eBills after Jan. 11. For questions, contact Student Business Services at sbs@sfasu.edu.

To view SFA Athletics news and a schedule of upcoming events, visit sfajacks.com.

The University Series will celebrate the return of a favorite entertainment duo and their world-class band when Dailey & Vincent performs a holiday show at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Turner Auditorium in the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

Ring in the festive season with the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts and event sponsor Lehmann Eye Center as they host the Grammy and Dove award winners and Grand Ole Opry members Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent and fellow musicians performing some of the best country, bluegrass and gospel this side of heaven.

Refined, a biennial exhibition of contemporary jewelry and metalwork hosted by the jewelry and metalworking program in the School of Art, runs through Jan. 5 in Reavley Gallery at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

School of Art Professor Lauren McAdams Selden describes the individual works of art in a video that can be viewed on YouTube or Facebook.

This is a professional position responsible for performing complex accounting work in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, state and federal laws and regulations and university policy.

This is a managerial position responsible for coordinating and implementing recruitment activities in the undergraduate admissions office for assigned populations. The chosen candidate is responsible for recruiting new undergraduate students for an assigned territory; and hiring, supervising and training assigned staff.

This is a full time, 12-month position responsible for serving as the training director in the school psychology program providing supervision for doctoral interns, including interns placed at the SFA Charter School training site.

For more career opportunities, visit SFA's career website.

This time of year is known for its beautiful Christmas lights around campus and historic Nacogdoches, but have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience the Northern Lights? If not, perhaps these photos will spark your interest. Take a look at the best photos of the Northern Lights on My Modern Met.