SFA will soon launch Degree Works, a new academic planning tool that helps students and advisors track degree progress and plan a path to graduation in real time. Students and advisors can use it to:

• view a personalized degree audit showing completed and remaining degree requirements

• monitor progress toward graduation in an easy-to-read format

• plan future coursework and academic goals

• and access shared degree information to support academic advising.

Faculty and staff should visit the Degree Works webpage and monitor their email for upcoming training dates and additional information.

For more information, email the Office of the Registrar at degreeworks@sfasu.edu.

The 2026-27 University Catalog is available online. Updates include:

• recent college reorganizations

• clearer designation of programs offered as online or hybrid

• and a redesigned catalog homepage with improved navigation.

The mid-year addendum, scheduled for January, will include critical policy changes and academic courses and programs that will take effect for the spring 2027 semester.

For more information, email the registrar’s office at catalog@sfasu.edu.

Staff Council will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, in McGee Business Building, Room 133, and via Zoom.

Flor Elizondo, benefits coordinator, and Barbara Hunter, benefits manager, will discuss open enrollment and changes to benefits.

The meeting agenda will be available on the meeting information page.

The Division of Enrollment and Student Engagement has announced two leadership appointments in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

LaShanda Parkhurst was named director. With 16 years of financial aid experience and a strong commitment to student success and service excellence, she has led operations related to federal aid and the Purple Promise program.

Susan Jones was appointed senior associate director. She has more than 25 years of experience in financial aid, including previous service as a FAFSA contractor for the U.S. Department of Education.

DESE thanks Tammy Mitchum, who is resuming her role as assistant director, for her dedicated service as interim director during a period of significant transition. Her leadership and commitment to students and staff members have been deeply valued.

If your department is hiring student workers, researchers or volunteers and/or is offering other student professional experiences, register for the Part-Time Job and Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 2 during Weeks of Welcome. Participation is free for SFA departments.

To reserve your spot at the fair, complete the form by Aug. 26. Registration includes a 6-by-12-foot table that can be used to display a tablecloth and information to share with students.

For more information, contact the Center for Career Education and Exploration, formerly the Career Center, at careercenter@sfasu.edu or visit its webpage.

Dr. Michael Polozola II, assistant professor and extension fruit and nut specialist with the Louisiana State University AgCenter, is the featured speaker for SFA Gardens' Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series event from 7 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building. He will present “Fruits and Nuts: Tips for Success in Home Orchards.”

Polozola’s work focuses on helping homeowners and growers successfully produce fruit and nut crops, including pecans, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and muscadines.

A plant raffle will follow the free presentation.

The Employee Wellness and Benefits Vendor Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, July 13, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

The fair offers an opportunity for employees to ask benefits and retirement vendors questions, learn about new optional lifestyle benefits and explore other significant plan changes for the upcoming fiscal year. Complimentary activities, such as pain assessments by Airrosti, chair massages and a special visit from the Little Angels Service Dogs, will also be available. Preregister for pain assessments on the Airrosti website.

The first 200 attendees will receive an SFA door prize. Additional door prizes will be given away throughout the event.

Join fellow Lumberjacks for a day at the ballpark as we paint DFW and Houston purple this July!

Visit the SFA Alumni Association website to purchase July 11 Rangers tickets and July 18 Astros tickets.

Whether you're reconnecting with classmates, making memories with family or simply showing your Lumberjack pride, these games are a great way to celebrate SFA across Texas.

Burrow completed professional development at the Natural Start Alliance annual conference at the Will Smith Zoo School in San Antonio.

She attended the conference with support from Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies, who currently holds the Montgomery Professorship for Humane Education. Burrow is the 2026-28 recipient of the endowed professorship, which includes funding and a focus on attending animal welfare organization conferences annually.

Ajero recently presented "Growing Up with Music: Nurturing a Lifelong Love for the Piano" at the 2026 Texas Music Teachers Association Conference in Houston.

In his presentation, Ajero reflected on nearly 20 years of experience not only as a piano teacher but also as a parent guiding two young musicians on their journey toward becoming professional pianists. He focused on how teachers and parents can provide positive music-making experiences that help nurture curiosity, discipline, resilience and self-motivation for the practice and performance of piano music.