SFA University
February 23, 2026 - Stephen F. Austin State University announces the appointment of Dr. Chad Thomas as the institution’s associate vice president and dean of students. Thomas will assume the role April 30.
An East Texas native with ties to The University of Texas System, Thomas has more than 15 years of experience in higher education. Most recently, he served as senior associate vice president for student affairs at UT Dallas in Richardson.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Thomas to SFA,” said Dr. Kent Willis, senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that his combination of skills, dedication to student success and unique background make him an excellent fit for our campus and student body. I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Thomas as we continue to advance the SFA experience.”
In his leadership role at UT Dallas, Thomas was responsible for numerous operational areas and special initiatives within the Division of Student Affairs, including campus partnerships, strategic planning, assessment, fundraising, legislative affairs and audit and compliance.
Previously, Thomas was the director of UT Dallas’ Student Media department and provided leadership for a variety of special projects for Student Affairs, including professional development initiatives and awards and recognition programs for staff. He also served for two years as a deputized student conduct officer at the university and later assumed responsibility for the student conduct appeals process.
“SFA is a special place, and the university is in the middle of a transformative period, having recently joined the UT System and experienced record-setting enrollment for undergraduates,” Thomas said. “When I visited campus, I knew right away that university leaders, including Dr. Weaver and Dr. Willis, are sincerely committed to student success. I’m looking forward to supporting our students and am focused on developing strong partnerships with faculty and staff across the institution.”
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from UT Austin in 2002, Thomas earned his master’s degree from Ohio University in 2013 and his doctoral degree in public affairs from UT Dallas in 2019. Before joining UT Dallas, he worked as an editor and reporter at several newspapers in Texas. He also spent three years as a public school teacher.
Thomas is married to SFA alumna Erin Roth Thomas ’05 & ’07, a lyric mezzo-soprano who regularly performs with groups across the country, including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Portland (Oregon) Opera Company and Dallas’ Orpheus Chamber Singers.
In addition to announcing Thomas’ appointment, Willis thanked the SFA dean of students search committee members, including faculty representatives Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, and Dr. Justin Blount, interim associate dean of the Nelson Rusche College of Business.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved Stephen F. Austin State University’s strategic plan, campus master plan and future Lumberjack Crossing residence hall during its February 18-19 quarterly meeting in Austin.
February 20, 2026 – The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved Stephen F. Austin State University’s strategic plan, campus master plan and future Lumberjack Crossing residence hall during its February 18-19 quarterly meeting in Austin.
“Together, these actions represent a significant milestone in SFA’s continued integration into the UT System and establish a unified roadmap guiding the university’s academic priorities, student experience and long-term campus development,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president.
Campus and strategic planning
SFA’s campus master plan provides a long-range framework to guide physical development during the next 10 years. Through extensive stakeholder engagement and future-focused analysis over the past 18 months, the campus master plan steering committee, led by John Branch, associate vice president for facilities services and campus operations, developed the plan in partnership with Freese and Nichols, an engineering, planning and consulting firm based in Fort Worth. The main plan includes a utility master plan, technology master plan, campus recreation master plan, intercollegiate athletics master plan, landscape guidelines, condition assessments and campus space utilization strategy updates.
SFA’s strategic plan was developed by representatives from academic and administrative areas across the institution under the guidance of Damon Derrick, vice president, general counsel and chief of staff.
Both planning efforts were conducted in parallel, ensuring alignment among SFA’s academic vision, operational priorities and future physical environment. Collectively, the approved plans establish a framework to:
- support student success and the full Lumberjack experience
- prioritize modern learning, research and engagement spaces
- strengthen infrastructure, mobility and campus connectivity
- and guide long-term decision-making as projects and resources advance.
According to Weaver, this milestone reflects the shared vision and dedication of the entire SFA community as the university moves confidently into its second century.
“I am deeply grateful to the committee members whose leadership guided the development of these plans and to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members whose engagement helped shape them,” he said. “Together, we are establishing a bold, future-focused roadmap that will transform this campus and the East Texas region over the next 10 years, expand opportunity for our students, and position SFA for lasting success within The University of Texas System.”
Lumberjack Crossing residence hall
Regents also approved adding the Lumberjack Crossing student housing project to the UT System Capital Improvement Program.
The proposed four-story residence hall, planned for the area directly east of the Lumberjack Landing residence hall and south of Pineywoods Dining Hall, will provide housing and support amenities for up to 336 students. It will include double-occupancy rooms with suite-style bathrooms, accessible accommodations, lounge and study spaces, staff offices and student collaboration environments. The project also will expand campus cooling capacity with a new chiller and supporting infrastructure planned for the university’s central plant.
The approximately 100,000-square-foot residence hall is expected to be funded through Revenue Financing System bond proceeds, with a total project cost of $70 million. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 with substantial completion targeted for 2028, increasing on-campus housing capacity and supporting future enrollment growth.
For more information on SFA’s campus master plans, visit sfasu.edu/masterplan.
February 11, 2026 - Stephen F. Austin State University reported significant gains in spring 2026 enrollment, marking its first spring-to-spring enrollment increase since 2019 and the largest spring enrollment increase since 2010.
Overall spring headcount increased 7% compared to spring 2025, surpassing 10,000 students for the first time in three years. Undergraduate enrollment grew 9%, representing the largest number of undergraduate students since spring 2022, while transfer student enrollment increased 15%, underscoring SFA’s continued commitment to access and student mobility across East Texas.
SFA also generated 9% more semester credit hours than last spring, the highest total since 2021, strengthening the university’s long-term funding position and reflecting increased academic engagement among enrolled students.
“This spring enrollment growth is a clear signal that students see the value of an SFA education,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “From expanded transfer pathways to focused student success initiatives, we are meeting students where they are and providing clear, affordable routes to a degree. The momentum we’re seeing reflects the trust families and students are placing in this institution.”
Spring 2026 also marks the third consecutive year SFA has achieved a 90% fall-to-spring retention rate, highlighting continued progress in supporting students through their academic journeys.
According to Dr. Kent Willis, senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement, the growth reflects strategic shifts in enrollment composition and student success efforts.
“While headcount is important, semester credit hours are what ultimately drive university funding,” Willis said. “The increase in credit hours shows that more students are enrolling full-time and staying on track academically. Changes in our student mix, including growth in first-time undergraduates and transfer students, are contributing to stronger credit hour production and a healthier enrollment profile overall.”
University leaders note the current growth builds on sustained momentum from recent fall semesters and reflects targeted investments in recruitment, retention and academic support.
Fall 2026 enrollment reminder
With strong demand for fall 2026 and strategic enrollment underway, SFA administrators encourage students planning to enroll this fall to finish key steps to secure their place in next year’s class. Prospective students are urged to complete required enrollment tasks, including providing meningitis vaccination records and meeting Texas Success Initiative, or TSI, requirements. Only students who complete these steps will be eligible to apply for on-campus housing and orientation later this month. Students are also encouraged to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
For current SFA students, the on-campus living requirement has changed from all students with fewer than 60 semester credit hours to just first-time, first-year students. Non-first-time, first-year students who wish to live off campus no longer need a waiver. Students living on campus who wish to continue living on campus need to complete their intention form to secure their spot for the next year. For more information, email reslife@sfasu.edu.
Dr. Michael Simon, Angelina College president, pictured left, and Dr. Neal Weaver, Stephen F. Austin State University president, sign a partnership agreement launching Jacks Jumpstart Feb. 3. The alternative admissions program helps first-semester freshmen at AC who narrowly miss meeting SFA admissions requirements when they initially apply by creating an affordable pathway to transfer to the university within one academic year.
February 4, 2026 - The latest partnership between Stephen F. Austin State University and Angelina College has created Jacks Jumpstart, an alternative admissions program for first-semester freshmen at AC who narrowly miss meeting SFA admissions requirements when they initially apply but are working toward transferring to the university.
Officials from both schools launched the Jacks Jumpstart program at a Feb. 3 signing agreement ceremony on the SFA campus. They emphasized that AC students who complete this program are eligible to transfer to SFA within one academic year without reapplying.
“This program is going to impact students who are graduating from high school this May,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “Students can apply one time to SFA and pay one fee, and they can be accepted to Angelina College, successfully complete the Jacks Jumpstart requirements and automatically be accepted by SFA. They don’t have to fill out the paperwork again, and they don’t have to pay more money. I know that students from both AC and SFA and their families will see the benefits of this.”
To join the program, students invited by SFA must opt in by May 1 and be “college ready,” according to the Texas Success Initiative. To transfer to SFA without reapplying or paying additional application fees, these students must complete 15 to 30 semester hours of transferable core classes at AC and earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA within one academic year. AC offers these core classes online and in person.
“One of our priorities as a community college is making sure that students can access higher education and move through the system as affordably as possible, and we know that value is important to SFA as well,” said Dr. Michael Simon, AC president. “Between the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance agreement and this program, every door is open for students to pursue an education and become better, more employable citizens.”
Krista Brown, vice president of student services at AC, said Jacks Jumpstart will impact students outside East Texas as well.
“We worked hard with IT, our deans and other teams to ensure these core classes are offered not only in person but also online because this partnership doesn’t affect just local students,” Brown said. “It affects students across Texas and beyond. We’re thrilled to be able to provide access to them in a very affordable way to get their core requirements to transfer back to SFA.”
For more information on Jacks Jumpstart, email JacksJumpstart@angelina.edu or visit sfasu.edu/apply/first-year/alt.
January 28, 2026 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s calendar of events and key dates for January 28 to February 9. This calendar is not intended to be comprehensive; click the calendar links below for more events.
Women's Basketball vs. McNeese State University: 6:30 p.m. January 29 Johnson Coliseum. SFA’s women’s basketball team will compete against McNeese State University.
SFA Piano Trio Recital: 7:30 p.m. January 29. Wright Music Building, Cole Concert Hall. Jennifer Dalmas, professor of violin; Evgeni Raychev, cello instructor; and Minhae Lee, assistant professor of piano; will present a piano trio recital, featuring: Beethoven's "Ghost Piano Trio,” “Cafe Music” by Paul Schoenfield and “Trio in G Minor” by Bedrich Smetana.
‘Greetings from Texas (or somewhere in between)’: January 30 to March 29. The Cole Art Center, Reavley Gallery. “Greetings from Texas (or Somewhere in Between)” presents works by Heather Sundquist Hall that examines landscape, identity and the shifting impressions of place. Using gouache as her primary medium, Hall creates compositions that balance precision and spontaneity, capturing moments that feel both rooted and in transition.
James P. Connolly: 7:30 p.m. January 30 Griffith Fine Arts Building, Turner Auditorium. Nationally recognized stand-up comedian James P. Connolly will perform as part of SFA’s Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts University Series. Connolly is known for his clean, high-energy comedy and engaging storytelling. He has appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” Comedy Central, HBO and Netflix, and can be heard regularly on SiriusXM comedy channels.
Men’s Basketball vs. McNeese State University: 6:30 p.m. February 2 Johnson Coliseum. SFA’s men’s basketball team will compete against McNeese State University.
SFA Piano Week: February 3 to 6 Wright Music Building, Cole Concert Hall . SFA will host SFA Piano Week which will feature guest faculty from the United States and South Korea and will include recitals, public masterclasses and group lessons.
Children’s Show: ‘Pete the Cat' 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. February 5 Griffith Fine Arts Building, Turner Auditorium “Pete the Cat,” presented by Main Street Theater and part of SFA’s Children Series, examines the adventures of Pete, a groovy blue cat.
January 15, 2026 — Stephen F. Austin State University announced today an intentional enrollment strategy for fall 2026 amid unprecedented demand from prospective students.
As of January, first-time undergraduate applications are up more than 50% compared to this time last year, and SFA has already surpassed last year’s total application count, which set a record.
In response, the university plans to limit growth in the incoming first-time, first-year student class to 10%, representing nearly a 40% increase in that population since 2024. This enrollment strategy allows SFA to continue growing while preserving academic quality and student experience.
“Everyone wants to be a Lumberjack right now,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “Our responsibility is to ensure that every student who chooses SFA receives the personal attention, academic excellence and campus experience that define this university.”
In addition to the first-time, first-year student class limitation, SFA will implement updated housing policies that better align with student needs beginning in fall 2026. Key changes include:
- Revised on-campus living requirement: The requirement to live on campus will apply only to first-time, first-year students. Previously, this policy extended to students with fewer than 60 credit hours.
- Streamlined off-campus exemptions: SFA will expand and simplify off-campus permit criteria, making it easier for students to request and secure alternative housing options. Returning students will no longer be required to submit an off-campus waiver.
In February, the university will present a new residence hall project and a comprehensive campus master plan to The University of Texas System Board of Regents, outlining future investments in campus housing, parking garages, academic facilities and other critical infrastructure needed to support long-term growth and enhance the student experience. As enrollment grows, the university will continue developing a plan to ensure additional faculty and staff lines are available to support students and maintain strong academic quality.
To secure their place in the fall 2026 class, prospective students are encouraged to act now by completing required enrollment steps, including submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA; providing meningitis vaccination records; and meeting Texas Success Initiative, or TSI, requirements. Incoming students who complete these steps will be eligible to apply for housing and orientation later this spring.
Transfer and graduate students will not be subject to any enrollment limits.
For more information, contact SFA’s Office of Admissions at (936) 468-4732 or admissions@sfasu.edu.
About Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
For 10 years, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cooking Matters program has provided families in Nacogdoches new ways to manage health and budgeting while cooking. This year’s curriculum, “Food Smarts: A Cooking and Nutrition Class,” concluded after six weeks of nutrition education, equipping a new group of participants with practical skills to prepare nutritious, affordable meals.
November 24, 2025 – For 10 years, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cooking Matters program has provided families in Nacogdoches new ways to manage health and budgeting while cooking. This year’s curriculum, “Food Smarts: A Cooking and Nutrition Class,” concluded this week after six weeks of nutrition education, equipping a new group of participants with practical skills to prepare nutritious, affordable meals.
Hosted by SFA’s Department of Allied Health Studies in partnership with the East Texas Food Bank, the six courses featured valuable lessons in nutrition and cooking taught by students enrolled in SFA’s “Community Nutrition” class. Following the completion of each of the six courses and a grocery store tour during week five, all participants received a free bag of groceries to re-create the meal at home. The final week closed with a Thanksgiving potluck graduation November 17 at the Nacogdoches Helping Other People Eat, or HOPE, food pantry’s resource center.
“Collaborating with the East Texas Food Bank and HOPE pantry is allowing students to create sustainable changes for individuals and families in need,” said Justin Pelham, food, nutrition and dietetics clinical assistant professor. “This program gives back to our community and our students by providing hands-on experience to complement lecture-based content. Students gain valuable skills and take what they learn to practice while educating people who need it most in Nacogdoches.”
The first five weeks of “Food Smarts” consisted of Pelham’s students providing nutrition education lessons followed by chef instruction. The fifth lesson featured a grocery store tour at the Nacogdoches Walmart, where students gave in-store instruction on shopping.
This year, 10 graduates completed the program. With one in three Nacogdoches residents living in poverty, the program provides vital resources and education to underserved communities while offering SFA students invaluable real-world teaching experience.
Cooking Matters continues to make a difference by helping families prioritize their health while sticking to a budget. For more information on SFA’s dietetics and nutritional sciences programs, visit gosfa.com/dietetics-nutrition.
Stephen F. Austin State University recently established the Nu Xi chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students as well as faculty and staff who were first-gen college students. Nearly 50 students and eight faculty and staff were inducted into the inaugural cohort this month.
November 17, 2025 - As the number of first-generation college students continues to rise at Stephen F. Austin State University, so do the opportunities to recognize their success. With the establishment of the Nu Xi chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, SFA’s first-generation students now have an honor society of their own.
“We are so excited to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of first-generation Lumberjacks,” said Dr. Ja’Von Long, Nu Xi chapter faculty advisor and director of student development and support at SFA. “As a former first-gen college student, myself, I know how much they’ve overcome just to enroll in college. To qualify for an honor society on top of that shows the excellence, resilience and leadership these students have and will carry with them beyond graduation.”
Nearly 50 first-generation college students were inducted into the inaugural cohort of SFA’s Nu Xi chapter this month. To qualify for Tri-Alpha membership, students must:
• be a current degree-seeking student at SFA
• come from a family in which neither parent earned a bachelor’s degree
• have at least 30 credit hours
• and hold an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Roughly 40% of SFA’s graduates each year are first-generation students. First-generation students are those whose parents or guardians have not earned a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Many of these SFA students also qualify as low-income, defined as being eligible for a Pell Grant. The percentage of Pell Grant-eligible undergraduates at SFA exceeds both state and national averages, as well as those of peer institutions.
Josephine Damian, criminal justice junior from Houston and the first president of the Nu Xi chapter, said she’s excited about building a legacy at SFA and establishing resources that will benefit future members for years to come.
“Serving as an inaugural member and president is an honor and an opportunity to truly build something from the ground up,” Damian said. “It’s a representation of a community dedicated to supporting first-gen students and faculty.”
The chapter also includes a mentoring component that allows faculty and staff who were first-generation college students to join. Eight SFA faculty and staff members were inducted into the inaugural cohort this month.
“This creates another support system for our first-generation students because these faculty and staff members share similar experiences,” said Dr. Veronica Beavers, associate dean of students - Student Development and Access Services. “Many of them are connected to initiatives that support first-gen Lumberjacks, from participating in Generation Jacks to assisting with first-generation workshops and other student success efforts across campus. Our faculty and staff have been amazing at helping students overcome challenges, and this new initiative offers yet another opportunity for them to connect with and uplift our students.”
Dr. Kent Willis, senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement who helped Long and Beavers establish the Tri-Alpha chapter at SFA, said the new inductees are a source of pride for their families and an inspiration to future first-generation students.
“The students, faculty and staff inducted into the Nu Xi chapter of Tri-Alpha embody what it means to break barriers and create new pathways for others,” Willis said.
“They understand the significance of this responsibility and embrace it with purpose and dedication. They are trailblazers and role models. I look forward to seeing the Nu Xi chapter continue to grow.”
Tri-Alpha was founded March 24, 2018, at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and has grown to more than 150 chapters nationwide.
For more information on Tri-Alpha, visit 1stgenhonors.org. For more information on first-generation student support at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/firstgen.
November 5, 2025 - Stephen F. Austin State University will host SFA Day at Center High School on Wednesday, November 12, bringing Lumberjack spirit and educational opportunities to Shelby County.
The day's events will include academic information sessions from 2pm to 3pm, giving Center High School students the chance to explore SFA's academic programs, scholarships and student life. Staff members will be available to answer questions and provide resources for students interested in continuing their education at SFA.
Later in the afternoon, the SFA Tennis team will host a clinic at 5pm for members of the Center High School Tennis team. The clinic is also open to the public, offering community members the opportunity to learn from collegiate athletes and coaches.
The event is a collaboration between Stephen F. Austin State University, Center High School, and the Bone Hill Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education and strengthening regional partnerships.
"SFA Day at Center High School is a great example of how our university connects with students and communities across East Texas," said Dr. Kent Willis, SFA's senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. "We're proud to showcase the opportunities available at SFA while building relationships that help students see a pathway to success close to home."
About Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers' college in Texas' oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges - business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor's degrees, more than 40 master's degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
October 29, 2025 –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Earth Sciences and Geologic Resources will host an Earth Science Day event from 10am to 2pm November 8 in the Cole STEM Building atrium.
This free event is open to the public. Visitors who have minerals, rocks or fossils they would like to have identified are encouraged to bring them for a free identification service. There will be geology-themed activities for all ages, including dinosaur races, cupcake geology and an augmented reality sand table.
“Our annual earth science celebration is designed to increase awareness and help our community gain a better understanding of the planet we call home,” said Dr. Wesley Brown, chair of the department. “The enthusiastic faculty and students are eager to open the Department of Earth Sciences and Geologic Resources’ doors to the community and answer all earth-science-related questions.”
The influence of geosciences spans across science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, as well as the humanities, according to Dr. Liane Stevens, associate professor of earth sciences and geologic resources.
“Our lives are so intertwined with the Earth that we often don’t realize the many ways that earth science impacts us,” Stevens said. “Beyond accessing resources and planning for natural disasters, earth scientists are working to protect our planet and environment.”
For more information, contact Stevens at stevenslm@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-2024.
Pages
