Preliminary data for SFA shows encouraging trends across multiple areas, including enrollment, retention and student interest. With record-breaking prospective student engagement, improved fall-to-spring retention rates, and an anticipated increase in semester credit hour production, the university is experiencing positive momentum.

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will host a core curriculum town hall meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. tomorrow in McGee Business Building, Room 131, or via Zoom (meeting ID 936 468 3964 and passcode 7742090).

Attendees will share new information on core curriculum improvement objectives, discuss ways to improve student attainment of these core objectives and review the assessment of our current core curriculum.

SFA announces the launch of SFA Delegates, a dynamic student ambassador program designed to provide exceptional students with the opportunity to represent SFA at special events and official gatherings, acting as the face of the university under the direction of the Office of the President.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to tell students that the Student Success Center is accepting applications for the Generation Jacks program’s fall 2025 cohort through the GenJacks webpage.

GenJacks is an academic learning community designed for first-generation college students — those whose parents or guardians have not earned a bachelor’s degree — that offers personalized academic support, peer mentoring and more.

Participating students will move in early and attend the GenJacks Summer Leadership Academy Aug. 18-19 to learn about campus resources and tools that will help them start their academic journey strong and ensure their success at SFA.

The Office of Admissions invites you to a Slate open forum at 2 p.m. March 26 via Zoom.

Whether you're looking to maximize Slate’s potential for recruitment or have specific questions about its features, this session is for you. This interactive forum will provide an opportunity to ask questions about Slate functionality and best practices, learn creative ways to use Slate for recruitment and utilize Slate's event feature.

Register here to receive the link and reminder messages.

Learn how to create a thoughtful, engaging and informative exhibit at 4 p.m. March 27 in the East Texas Research Center archive lab on the first floor of the Steen Library.

The beginner-level class led by Chris Cotton, university archivist, will cover the planning, resources and techniques needed to create displays for a successful exhibit. Register online to attend.

Faculty members and professional advisors are invited to the Professional Academic Advising Council meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in Human Services Building, Room 319, or on Zoom.

To be included in the PAAC email list, contact Kara Predmore at kara.predmore@sfasu.edu. To present at a future PAAC meeting, complete the presentation request on the PAAC website.

Horticulture program students will host their seventh annual Spring Plant Fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at the SFA Plantery located at 1924 Wilson Drive behind the Agriculture building.

Plants available for purchase include a variety of summer annuals, edibles, native perennials, houseplants and succulents, all of which thrive in the East Texas area. Free pancakes will be available while supplies last.

For more information, contact Dr. Jared Barnes, associate professor of horticulture and steward of the Plantery, at barnesj@sfasu.edu. To learn more about the horticulture program, follow @sfahorticulture on Instagram.

Conlon discussed his latest research on the mate-poaching tactics of dominance- and prestige-oriented individuals on the “The Last Show with David Cooper” podcast.

Damoff published "A review of literature and a reevaluation of Diplocardia verrucosa Ude 1895 resulted in the discovery of a new species in southern New Mexico and west Texas, USA" in the journal Zootaxa. The article includes the description of a new earthworm species, Diplocardia farrishi, named in honor of Dr. Ken Farrish, professor emeritus and Damoff's doctoral advisor in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

Bruck presented on the development of a next-generation health assessment drone called Passive Health Assessment of Sea Mammals at the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association annual conference in Chicago.

The joint project of SFA, the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education and Dolphin Quest received first place in the Research Advancements category and the Outernet Technologies International Award for best technological breakthrough presented at the conference.

In partnership with Georgia Aquarium, SFA graduate research assistant Sonny Schoenhoft presented her research on deciphering beluga whale communication. She was named best first-time presenter.

The School of Music has launched the Elliott String Quartet Fellowship, a new graduate-level opportunity designed to attract top-tier string musicians and enhance the university’s orchestral program. The fellowship will begin in fall 2025 and provide competitive financial support to selected graduate students pursuing a Master of Music in performance or a performing artist certificate.

CCPD’s Résumé Workshop: 5:30 p.m. March 18, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Room 3.302

CCPD’s Career Wellness Check: 5 p.m. March 19, McKibben Education Building, Room 131

SFA Gardens’ Volunteer Lunch Bunch: Noon March 19, Pineywoods Native Plant Center

J.H. Burr Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series: 4 p.m. March 20, Cole STEM Building Planetarium

Lifelong Learning Conference proposal deadline: March 21

CTL’s Coffee and Conversation on Gen AI: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 21, Steen Library, Room 220a

SFA Gardens’ The Monarch Migration: Its Rise and Fall: 10 a.m. March 22, Pineywoods Native Plant Center

Bugs, Bees, Butterflies and Blossoms Festival: 9 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 24 and 27, Pineywoods Native Plant Center

CCPD’s Agriculture Career Fair: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26, Agriculture Building, Room 110

CTL’s Tools for Formative Assessment in Brightspace: 2 to 3 p.m. March 27, livestream

OIP Global Gateway event: Brazil: 3 p.m. March 27, Steen Library, Room 103

UT CAP Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29, Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza