SFA Faculty Forum events offer faculty members a chance to discuss important issues and relay timely information. The next forum will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. today via Zoom only. The Meeting ID is 935 3814 9821.

Today's meeting will focus on key faculty governance updates moving into the new year. There is no Ale in Favor event afterward.

Spring 2026 Lumberjack Education Assistance Program applications for eligible participants — SFA employees, their spouses and dependents — are available now in mySFA. Access the application form in the “Benefits” section under the “Employee” tab.

Approved LEAP exemptions will be applied to eBills starting Jan. 5. Note that financial aid may affect your LEAP benefits. Refer to the LEAP procedures on this webpage for further explanation.

For LEAP questions, contact Student Business Services at sbs@sfasu.edu. For financial aid questions, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at finaid@sfasu.edu.

SFA is featured in the season 15 premiere of “The College Tour,” now streaming at TheCollegeTour.com and on Amazon Prime Video.

The James I. Perkins College of Education's Access and Opportunity Committee invites all faculty and staff to submit proposals for Gateways, Not Gatekeepers: Empowering Faculty Access and Growth, a professional development event designed to highlight innovative practices, share valuable resources and foster meaningful dialogue across our academic community. Proposals are due Jan. 11 and the event is from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 27.

Share your expertise in a 20-minute “speed learning” roundtable session focused on making SFA’s professional, research and development opportunities more accessible. Topics may include grants and awards, student research, study abroad, policies and procedures, leadership opportunities, faculty development, and teaching and learning innovations. Those interested should submit proposals using the submission form.

For more information, visit the event website.

With the holiday season upon us, the Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department reminds everyone to follow these simple tips to ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Also, remember that all decorations should be taken down before leaving for the winter break. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/safety.

The Career Center is offering the following career fairs this spring. Faculty and staff are encouraged to inform their students about the free events.

• All Majors Career Fair: 1 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom

• Construction Management and Interior Design Career Fair: 11 a.m. Feb. 24 in the student center Twilight Ballroom

• Teacher Career Fair: 10 a.m. March 6 in the student center Grand Ballroom

Career fairs are a great way for students to network and connect with employers. The Career Center can assist with attendance tracking if you wish to offer extra credit for attendance.

To help students develop professional development skills, the Career Center also offers class assignments and will host presentations for student organizations or classes. Complete our request forms early to ensure availability.

For more information, contact the Career Center staff at careercenter@sfasu.edu or ext. 3305.

Join SFA Makerspace staff members for their annual holiday party from 3 to 5 p.m. today.

Enjoy hands-on crafting as you create your own holiday ornament to take home. Hot chocolate, including dairy-free and gluten-free options, will be served, so everyone can join in the warmth of the season.

Amanda Sheriff, a soprano in opera and musical theater, will give the commencement address during fall graduation ceremonies for undergraduates at 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in Johnson Coliseum. Sheriff will also lead the singing of the SFA school song during each of the ceremonies.

All master’s and doctoral candidates, including the members of SFA’s first Doctor of Social Work cohort, will receive their degrees during the Graduate Studies ceremony at 6 p.m. tomorrow in Turner Auditorium, Griffith Fine Arts Building.

The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of International Programs invite faculty and staff to join the December session of "Educating for Impact: Building World-Ready Students," a University of Texas System webinar series, at 1 p.m. tomorrow via Zoom.

Cofacilitated by SFA and UT Dallas, this session will highlight initiatives for global engagement that both take our students to the world and bring the world to our campuses.

Learn more and register for this session through the UT San Antonio website.

Dr. Dave Creech, professor emeritus and director of the SFA Gardens, will present at this month's Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series event from 7 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building.

SFA Gardens is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and Creech will update attendees on the research and educational activities occurring in the gardens. Expect to hear about the good, the bad and the ugly experiences of 2025.

A plant raffle will follow the presentation. Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series events are held on the second Thursday of every month and attendance is free. Donations to support the lecture series are gratefully accepted. Parking is available at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center or Raguet Elementary School.

Join the SFA Dance Team for its holiday Kid's Clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 20 with a performance to follow during halftime at the SFA men’s basketball game at 1 p.m. Dec. 21. All attendees will receive a T-shirt, Santa hat, photo opportunities and snacks.

For more information, email T.J. Maple at maplejv@sfasu.edu or Lesa Dencklau at lesa.dencklau@sfasu.edu.

As the semester winds down, SFA Today will also take a break for the holidays. This is our final issue of the year. We’ll resume publication Jan. 14 as the spring 2026 semester begins. We wish the campus community a joyful holiday season.

SFA Charter School students enjoyed a special visit from Rudy, SFA’s therapy dog, and even got to snack at the “pup”corn bar — a tribute to Rudy’s favorite treat!

SFA counselor Holly Randall shared Rudy’s story, from his year of training to becoming the golden heart of SFA’s animal-assisted therapy program. Rudy has an incredible gift for sensing stress and offering comfort with a gentle nudge, a soft paw or a playful moment.

A huge thank you to the Department of Education Studies, the Montgomery Professorship and all the teachers, students, faculty and staff, including Rudy, who made this event possible.

Faculty and staff are invited to cheer on the SFA Lumberjacks as they depart for the Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow in the Hayter Street parking lots near Homer Bryce Stadium. Don’t forget to wear purple, be loud and be proud!

The Lumberjacks will take on the Montana State Bobcats at 8 p.m. CT Friday, Dec. 12, in Bozeman. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

For more information, visit SFA Athletics’ game center website or the athletics app.