The Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department reminds faculty and staff that motorized utility vehicle training is mandatory for all faculty, staff and students who drive MUVs at any time on campus. These vehicles include electric, gas and diesel-powered carts, mules and gators or golf carts.

To complete training, visit the Safety Department website and select “MUV Training” under the “Emergency Resources & Quick Links.”

• Read the entire page and understand all important safety instructions for operating MUVs on campus.
• Note the consequences of noncompliance.
• Complete the highlighted area at the end of the training program and click “Next Page.”
• Fill out all fields on the following page and select “Submit.”

Documentation of your training program completion will be sent to the Safety Department, and an MUV driver carrying card, which is valid for three years, will be issued to you within three to five business days upon completion. Print a copy of the training acknowledgment to carry with you until you receive the carrying card.

For more information, contact the Safety Department at (936) 468-4514 or safety@sfasu.edu.

The Dean of Students Office will host academic integrity trainings for all faculty members via Zoom. The first training will cover the academic integrity process, including a new violation and resolution option. The second training demonstrates how to package and present a case for an alleged academic integrity violation. We encourage faculty members to attend both sessions. Several dates and times are available.

For more information, contact the DSO at (936) 468-7249 or academicintegrity@sfasu.edu.

University Marketing Communications’ Certified Communicator Program is back for its second year and will begin offering modules starting Sept. 3.

The program’s goal is to provide SFA employees the tools needed to be effective brand ambassadors. The 10 modules cover topics ranging from advertising, photography and videos to web presence, accessibility and mass emails. Held on Zoom, modules are presented by UMC staff members and offer the latest information on how to market your event or service, as well as branding updates.

Three levels of certification are offered:

Level 1 — Foundations course + three others

Level 2 — Level 1 + completion of three additional modules

Level 3 — Completion of all 10 modules

September trainings include:

• Foundations: Sept. 3

• Social Media: Sept. 12

• Accessibility: Sept. 16

• Advertising: Sept. 25

Register through myTraining in mySFA by searching "Certified Communicator." For more information, visit UMC’s Certified Communicator Program website.

The Center for Career and Professional Development is encouraging students to participate in the Lumberjacks GROW program. GROW, or Guided Reflection On Work, aims to help students feel more confident and prepared for life after college by engaging them in meaningful reflection and various career development activities.

Upon finishing the program, students receive official Lumberjacks GROW swag and a certificate of completion. Additional information on Lumberjacks GROW, including the schedule of events, requirements and the fall 2024 interest form, can be found on the CCPD website.

Faculty and staff can send student nominations by emailing ccpd@sfasu.edu or calling ext. 3305.

The Center for Career and Professional Development is hosting several new workshops this fall to help students along their professional journeys. Please encourage any students to attend. All events are free for current students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit the CCPD website or email ccpd@sfasu.edu.

• Next Steps for Seniors, Sept. 3. This workshop covers helpful tips for upcoming seniors including job searching, career research, prep work, resources and timelines.

• Job and Internship Search, Sept. 11. This workshop helps students get started on where and how to find an internship or job.

• Career Wellness Check and Lumberjacks GROW, Sept. 18. This personal, guided reflection on students' college experiences will help them look ahead at their professional futures.

• Career and Major Exploration, Sept. 24. Learn about resources to help students find the right job and/or major. All majors and classifications are invited to attend.

FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, recently announced SFA as one of 80 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2024-25. To be selected as a FirstGen Forward Network member, SFA displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.

The sports business and entrepreneurship programs in SFA’s Rusche College of Business are now offering the new Sports Innovation Certificate to any SFA undergraduate or nondegree-seeking student.

“This certificate is designed to help our students launch their careers and provide them with the skills desired by sport organizations,” said Dr. Jason Reese, SFA associate professor of marketing. “Any student at SFA can take part in this 12-hour academic certificate and enhance their understanding of sports entrepreneurship and innovation.”

SFA's Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation announced a partnership with IPC International, the global association supporting the electronics industry, and IPC Education Foundation for a collaboration that bridges a gap between SFA’s engineering program and industry needs.

Our official social media profile image just got a fantastic refresh, and we want you to join the party!

Show off your purple pride with a vibrant, new profile image featuring a big and bold account name. Simply visit the University Marketing Communications Service Desk, click “Graphic Design,” select “Social Media,” and provide your account name in the details box.

University Marketing Communications is pleased to announce the launch of its SFA News and Events Facebook page.

The new page — which will serve the campus community as well as external audiences — will be a source for news, campus updates, upcoming events, community achievements and more. Follow us to discover why every day is a great day to be a Lumberjack!

Faculty members are encouraged to inform their education students in any field semester about the upcoming Meet the District event planned for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, second floor commons.

This event promotes SFA’s educator preparation provider partner districts that offer paid clinical teaching opportunities to SFA education studies, secondary education and all-level education students.

Drs. Sarah Straub and Kevin Jones, associate and assistant professors in education studies, respectively, have been awarded the Texas International Education Fund Study Abroad Program Development Grant. The grant supports new immersive international education opportunities.

Designed to equip educators with the practical tools and cultural competence needed to thrive in diverse classrooms, their program will take students to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The three-credit course fulfills requirements for concentrations in instructional coach and ESL/bilingual education while serving as an elective for reading specialist and online teaching concentrations. It's tailored for graduate students seeking both practical skills and cultural competence in working with diverse student populations.

Soccer

SFA - 0 vs. University of Houston - 0

SFA - 2 vs. Southern Methodist University - 3

Volleyball

SFA - 5 vs. The University of Texas at Tyler - 0 (exhibition game)

Football

SFA football kicks off the season at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 29, against North American University. Also, first-year students can grab their first official axe handle at Holler @ Homer before the game. Get all the details on game day parking.

For more SFA Athletics news, visit sfajacks.com.

SFA community members are invited to the unveiling of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts Permanent Collection at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, second floor lobby. Join the college in celebrating the induction of a new permanent exhibition of selected works by faculty members and alumni artists from SFA’s School of Art.

From Latin rock rhythms to “Last Comic Standing” laughs to magnificent puppet beasts taking audiences along on spellbinding adventures, the 2024-25 touring entertainment series at SFA is sure to captivate lovers of live performance like none other in recent history. This year’s University Series spans a rich tapestry of genres and styles, ensuring an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

Faculty development leave can be an essential component of academic growth, allowing professors to pursue in-depth research, refine their artistic practices, and engage with global networks of professionals and scholars.

Lauren Selden, professor of art, who teaches metalwork and jewelry, completed a successful development leave in the spring 2024 semester by attending artist residencies, learning new technical processes and expanding the content and designs of her artwork.

Do you miss watching the world's greatest athletes chasing their dreams and winning medals? Luckily, the Paralympic games are slated to start tomorrow so you can cheer on more fantastic athletes! Though the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Paris was built with accessibility in mind, here's a breakdown of why there's a two-week gap in between the Olympics and Paralympics.