Dr. Michael Tkacik received his B.A. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law. After practicing law in Los Angeles, Tkacik returned to academia where he received his M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University. Finally, Tkacik earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland (College Park).

Dr. Tkacik began teaching at SFA in August 1999. He won the Teaching Excellence Award in the College of Liberal Arts for the 2001-2002 academic year. He was a Fulbright Award recipient in 2004 during which time he taught at the University of SS. Cyril and Methodius (Slovakia). He was later a recipient of a Fulbright Senior Specialist award teaching at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan). Since then he has traveled for academic purposes to Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey under the auspices of the Open Society Institute. He has also delivered papers in Sweden and Finland. Beyond this he has lectured in New Zealand, the Czech Republic, and London, England.

In the United States Dr. Tkacik has briefed the commanding general of the Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force base in Omaha, Nebraska. Tkacik’s research focuses on national and international security. He has published on nuclear weapons, terrorism, autonomy issues, democracy and Islam, and regional issues.

While Dr. Tkacik enjoys research, he is most comfortable in the classroom. He has offered classes in American Foreign Policy; International Terrorism; International Law and Organization; War, Politics & Strategy; and American Government. Dr. Tkacik was appointed as the Director of the School of Honors in 2008.

Phone: (936) 468-2813
E-mail: mtkacik@sfasu.edu
Office: McKibben Education Building, Room 381A

Jennifer Crenshaw moved from Dallas, Texas to Nacogdoches to attend Stephen F. Austin State University as a freshman. While at SFA, she was active and held leadership and officer roles in Griffith Hall, the Residence Hall Association, and Students for Environmental Awareness, as well as being elected as a senator in the Student Government Association. She is an alumnus of SFA having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art with a minor in Psychology. Like many graduating Lumberjacks, Ms. Crenshaw has made East Texas her home and has remained active in civic, local and University organizations for the betterment of the greater Nacogdoches and SFA communities.

At SFA, Ms. Crenshaw has worked in the Office of Admissions, Graduate Admissions, University Housing, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts and the College of Education as well as coordinating campus-wide events such as Showcase Saturday. With more than 20 years experience in recruitment and program development, she brings to the School of Honors an intimate knowledge of SFA and the Nacogdoches community, a creative spirit and a passion for assisting students. She is often overheard speaking of SFA as part of her family and wants her fellow Lumberjacks to have the same positive educational experience at the University as she had.

Phone: (936) 468-2813
E-mail: jmcrenshaw@sfasu.edu
Office: McKibben Education Building, Room 381