Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Student Involvement office named Colin Anderson, special education senior from Arlington; Emma Patton, chemistry senior from Wylie; Joelie Gentry, media and communication senior from Bakersfield, California; and Ruweida Mohamed, premed junior from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as recipients of the 2026 Best of SFA Award.
The awards are presented annually to honor students who excel in the areas of scholarship, participation and leadership in academic and cocurricular activities as well as service and loyalty to the university.
“Our SFA student leaders all deserve recognition for the incredible impact they have on the university,” said Dr. Lacey Folsom, associate dean of students - Involvement. “Out of all our wonderful students, the committee selected these four recipients for consistently demonstrating the spirit of the Best of SFA Award through their enthusiasm, commitment and hard work.”
Colin Anderson
After graduating in May, Anderson hopes to teach abroad in Japan or Ecuador through the Peace Corps to gain the required teaching experience to apply for SFA's Master of Education in special education program with an educational diagnostician concentration.
“My dream job is to end up in a position where I can advocate for students with disabilities and ensure that as many of them as possible are getting the services and support they need to succeed,” he said. “While this might start out in the classroom, I hope that I can move up to pass policies to reshape our education system in ways that will benefit all students.”
The son of Steven and Bobbi Anderson, Anderson is a founding member for SFA’s chapters of the Texas Association of Future Educators and the Student Council for Exceptional Children. He’s been active in the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, Kappa Delta Pi education honor society, Honor Student Association, Student Volunteer Network and Student Government Association. He was named Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Lumberjack Achievement Awards.
Locally, Anderson has served as a clinical teacher at Mike Moses Elementary School and an education and animal care volunteer at Ellen Trout Zoo. At SFA, Anderson works as a resident assistant for Residence Life, advertising manager and graphic designer for The Pine Log, and student ambassador for the Department of Education Studies. He also has served as an orientation advisor and Jack Camp counselor.
Anderson has been a member of SFA’s School of Honors since fall 2023 and holds the University Scholar distinction.
Joelie Gentry
Gentry, who also is graduating in May, plans to use her media and communication degree and experience as an SFA Athletics social media intern to obtain a media coordinator position with a sports team or company and work her way up to her dream job of marketing director.
“In addition to my dream job, I hope to use my own social media as a platform to offer support and advice to college students who are working to get themselves through college and balancing a lot of responsibilities,” she said. “I hope I can turn my ‘sip.study.slay’ Instagram page into something big one day.”
Gentry, the daughter of Jessie Shaff, has participated in SFA’s MLK Day of Service and The Big Event to help clean up local parks, streets and trails. As a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, she’s made wellness kits with cards for those in need, volunteered at the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter and participated in a voter registration drive.
Through the Multicultural Greek Council, Gentry has volunteered as a gardener at The Village Nac, a faith-based community of tiny homes for those experiencing mental health struggles and homelessness. She was named Volunteer of the Year at the 2024 Lumberjack Achievement Awards.
Locally, Gentry has worked as a shift lead at HTeaO and a client relations specialist at Spirit Outfitters. At SFA, she has served as a Jack Walker and an orientation leader.
Ruweida Mohamed
After graduating in May 2027, Mohamed plans to attend medical school and continue building on her academic and research experiences in biology, chemistry and allied health.
“My long-term goal is to become a physician specializing in cardiology or cardiothoracic medicine,” she said. “My plan is to return to Nacogdoches and serve rural areas, where access to specialized health care is limited. I want to provide high-quality cardiovascular care, improve early detection and prevention, and help reduce health disparities in rural communities.”
Through SFA’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association, Mohamed participates in community outreach activities, including visiting local nursing home residents to promote social connection and well-being. Through SFA’s MEDLIFE student chapter, she is taking a service-learning trip to Peru to provide medical support, health education and community outreach to underserved populations. At the Islamic Center of Nacogdoches, she serves as a young adult leader to organize activities that strengthen community relationships and support youth development.
At SFA, Mohamed works as a student assistant at the Office of International Programs to help support international students as they transition into a new country and academic environment. She also serves as the president of SFA’s International Student Association chapter.
Mohamed, a member of the Pre-Health Program Leadership Council, was selected as a scholar for The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine’s Pathways to Medicine early assurance program, which prepares 40 students each year from local colleges and universities for a successful career in the medical field.
Emma Patton
Patton, daughter of Jenny and Lee Patton, plans to take a gap year after graduating in May to work as a medical assistant in emergency medicine while she applies to physician assistant school.
“After completing PA school, I plan on continuing to work in emergency medicine, with the ultimate dream of opening my own practice in family medicine,” she said.
A former medical assistant at Warthan Dermatology Center, Patton received the STEM Research Excellence Scholarship in 2026. She also has served as committee chair of the Pre-PA Organization Executive Board.
Along with volunteering at the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, Patton helped raise $34,000 for the center as vice president of philanthropy for Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Through Omicron Delta Kappa, she assisted with Family Fun Day, an event that helps East Texas children get adopted, and the Leaders of Tomorrow Crew, which led leadership workshops for East Texas students. She’s also a member of the Order of Omega Greek honor society and National Society of Leadership and Success.
A Jacks Get Involved student assistant, Patton also serves as lead Jack Walker and as an SFA Delegate under the direction of the university president and first lady to help host SFA’s prestigious events. In 2025, she was named Greek Woman of the Year and Emerging Student Leader of the Year.