Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing

SFA School of Nursing Professors Receives Teaching Excellence Awards

Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members will be honored for their teaching abilities at the annual Teaching Excellence Convocation.

Dr. Della Connor is an assistant professor of nursing in the Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing. Her specialty and interests are in the area of kidney and urological disorders, including dialysis and chronic kidney disease. Connor earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from SFA, her master's degree in nursing from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and her doctoral degree from University of Texas at Tyler. She teaches courses in SFA 101 and electives in the nursing field.

Dr. Janice Hensarling is an assistant professor of nursing in the School of Nursing. She received an associate's degree in nursing from Angelina College, a bachelor's degree in nursing from SFA, a master's degree in nursing as a family nurse practitioner from the University of Texas at Galveston, and a doctoral degree in nursing from Texas Woman's University. Hensarling has been a registered nurse for 37 years and a family nurse practitioner for 17 years. She has practiced in clinical areas throughout East Texas and has taught Community Health Nursing for 12 years at SFA.

As a clinical component of the Community Health Nursing course, students of Connor and Hensarling gain a wealth of practical experiences in local schools, home health agencies, Hospice, rural health clinics and health fairs.

Dr. Della Connor and Dr. Janice Hensarling

Spot Light Transfer Students

Laura Lenz Senior Nursing Student, set to graduate

May of 2013.

"In the fall of 2010, I was a 20 year-old pre-nursing student of my beloved Texas Tech University and constantly felt an ache for something new. After researching schools, visiting towns, stressing over applications, and multiple fits of indecisiveness, I committed to SFA. Admittedly, I was worried about coming from a big school to a smaller one, about what learning from entirely new teachers would be like, and about making all new friends. But in December of 2011, I looked back on my first semester as a student nurse and could not have been happier with my choice."

"SFA fosters a challenging and throught-provoking environment that supports the highest level of learning and comprehension. The big picture of the program is willingly brought to the individual student through instructors who sincerely want to share their knowledge. Hands-on practice in the lab, hospitals, clinics, and schools in the community help new eyes become more experienced. These experiences help mold the student nurse."

"I've made friends in two short years that will truly last me a lifetime. I have learned more about myself as a student, nurse, and person from these friends that I ever anticipated. I adored and enjoyed the time I spent at Tech, however, thrived at SFA. Good things really do come in small packages. The Dewitt School of Nursing at SFA is the perfect size for aspirsing nurses who desire greatness. Changing lives is the best side effect of accomplishing your dreams. This program offers all of this. We hope to see you there!"