Center HS 2021 graduates stand with SFA Representatives and Center ISD Superintendent. From left: (back row) Kayden Davis, Jayla Moore, Ivan Jimenez, Arturo Hernandez, Cale Henson, Jase Bird, Superintendent Dr. Brian Morris (front row) Autumn Hughes, SFA Dual Credit Coordinator Office of Admissions Courtney Branton, SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon, SFA Coordinator of Academic Partnerships Ryan Brown-Moreno, and Zachary Denby.
June 2, 2021 (Program Flyer) - A formal announcement was made on Tuesday, June 1 in the high school library to acknowledge Center High School as an SFA Distinguished campus. Representatives from SFA along with Center ISD Superintendent Dr. Brian Morris spoke about the new partnership between Center ISD and SFA University and the benefits to Center ISD graduates including those who just graduated in May.
SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon explained, "Over the last several months, we were looking at developing close partnerships with high schools across the region and when we looked at Center High School it was a no brainer. We have a really good pipeline of students coming from Center who attend SFA and are extremely successful at SFA. So, we wanted to honor that and come here and formally announce Center High School as a SFA Distinguished High School Partner."
Superintendent Dr. Morris said, "Having graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University three times, I can't tell you how happy I am that Center High School was selected as a partner school in this process. Dr. Gordon, all the work that you've put into this and helped make this happen, we appreciate you, we appreciate that happening, we appreciate what you guys are doing for us locally to give our kids the opportunity... for some of our kids it's a whole new lifeline."
Ryan Brown-Moreno, SFA Coordinator of Academic Partnerships, explained, "This is the first year of our distinguished high school partnership program. Just as Dr. Gordon mentioned Center High School for us felt like a perfect fit. We are very excited to offer this opportunity to all of you, to really get this partnership started."
She added information regarding the most recent graduating class of the CHS stating they are eligible to receive the benefits of the partnership as well, "We did have 27 admitted students from Center High School to SFA for this fall semester. We are excited to see that number grow now with this new partnership." She also recognized that 15 graduates from the class of 2021 received scholarships already for a total of $55,000 for those Center HS students. Five received $5,000 scholarships and 10 received $3,000 scholarship which are renewable for four years.
Center Selected as SFA Distinguished High School Program
SFA Press Release
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Top-ranking graduates of Center High School will be automatically eligible for scholarships worth up to $20,000 at Stephen F. Austin State University as a result of a new partnership between the schools.
Center High School is one of only six schools in the state to be included in SFA’s Distinguished High School Program.
Students from partner schools receive scholarship money for up to four years based on their class rank. Students ranking in the top 10% of their class will receive $5,000 per year, and students ranking in the 11-25% of their class with a 3.0 GPA or higher will receive $3,000 per year.
In addition, SFA has waived the $50 application fee for all Center students, regardless of class rank, and seniors ranking in the top 30% of their class are guaranteed admission to SFA.
“At SFA, we are fully committed to student success and access, meaning we are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to ensure Texans have affordable access to higher education,” said SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon. “Our newly introduced Distinguished High School Program recognizes hardworking high school students by helping them obtain their college degree in a more timely and affordable manner. We are thrilled to offer this new program.”
Benefits for students at distinguished program partner schools include additional financial aid assistance to students with high financial need; a special, tailored campus visit; and an assigned admissions counselor to serve students throughout the college-enrollment process.
“We are so proud to be a part of this partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University,” Principal Amanda Clark said. “This opportunity will open so many doors for our students and allow them to reach new heights in their own backyard.”
In addition to Nacogdoches High School, other Distinguished High Schools invited to partner in SFA’s new program include Langham Creek High School and Tomball Memorial High School in the Houston area, and Little Elm High School and Allen High School in the Dallas area.
Students from distinguished program schools applying as first-time freshmen at ApplyTexas.org also should submit official SAT/ACT scores and high school transcripts to the SFA Office of Admissions. For more information about applying to SFA, visit sfasu.edu/apply or call (936) 468-2504.
