Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Three Stephen F. Austin State University students and one alumna recently represented SFA at the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Scholars Transforming through Research conference in Washington, D.C. They also visited the offices of U.S. senators from Texas to advocate for undergraduate research.
Nearly 40 teams from 34 universities nationwide were accepted to the 2025-26 STR program, a competitive, application-based professional development opportunity. Each team participated in multimonth training aimed at developing their communication and advocacy skills.
“It has been such an exciting experience working with this group of student researchers over the course of this academic year,” said Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies and faculty mentor for the CUR STR cohort. “At a time when research, innovation and civic engagement are so deeply connected, this cohort truly developed into scholar-advocates. They amplified the impact of engaging in undergraduate research and how investing in this at a federal level will only enhance our university’s impact and reputation.”
Amie Beam, aviation sciences junior from Tyler; Katelyn Defrancis, forestry wildlife management senior from Deer Park; and Kiel Garrett, graduate student in professional counseling from San Antonio, along with SFA agriculture alumna Holli Heim '25 and Straub, attended the conference to prepare for their discussions with senate staff members. More than 130 students from 15 states participated in the event, and Texas was represented by SFA as well as The University of Texas at El Paso, UT San Antonio and Rice University.
“The CUR STR trip was a really valuable experience because it gave me the opportunity to see how research connects directly to public policy,” said Heim, a first-year veterinary student at Lincoln Memorial University’s Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine. “And I learned how collaborative research and policy discussions are. Students from very different academic backgrounds were able to come together and present a unified message about the importance of research.”
Heim added that the conference sessions helped her translate complex research into clear, meaningful talking points for people who may not work in her field.
“As a future veterinarian interested in working with livestock producers, I see how research, policy and agriculture are closely connected,” she said. “A lot of times as students we focus on the science itself, but this experience highlighted how important it is to communicate research to policymakers and the public. Being able to explain why research funding matters and how it impacts real communities made those conversations much more productive.”
Garrett said the trip helped him see universities in a different light.
“The STR program and D.C. experience taught me how universities are not simply institutions of education but also important sources of innovation and public value that are not immediately apparent in the free market,” he said. “Students and faculty on campuses around the country help foster the future through evidence used in government policy and business enterprise decisions. My personal experience will be invaluable moving forward in the field of mental health, where research and advocacy are critical to get help for people who are not in the mindset to fight for it themselves.”
Defrancis said the conference helped her build connections with policymakers and develop a deeper understanding of how the U.S. Senate works.
“I think CUR STR is an important program because it connects young early professionals and researchers with politicians and leaders,” she said. “It's so important to invest in university research because young people and universities drive innovation and discoveries. They will be the ones filling the shoes of past professionals, and funding undergraduate research prepares incoming professionals with the right skills and critical thinking for the community to move forward together.”
During their visits to the offices of U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, the students emphasized requests for appropriations funding. They discussed their research and experiences and specifically asked for a commitment to funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Aeronautic Association, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
Beam said the visits taught her that “all it takes is an email or phone call to start a conversation with the people that can make a real change. I found it helpful just knowing that these policymakers are accessible. While it can’t be said for every politician, the staffers I spoke with in Washington were interested in talking with us and listening to our stories. The wall I thought existed between constituents and policymakers was imaginary.”
During the visit with Caroline Williams, a staff assistant in Cruz’s office, Beam explained that Texas aviation training is growing faster than current resources adequately allow for, and that Cruz’s support in strengthening and expanding current resources, such as increasing federal hires and federal systems maintenance for flight school areas, would be an effective way to help Texas lead aviation training in the U.S.
“Overall, Ms. Williams showed our Texas university representatives that she was a strong supporter of our work, our interests and our goals, and we were grateful for the chance to meet her,” Beam said.
She’s also grateful to Straub for introducing her to the CUR STR program.
“I most likely would have never had the chance to speak with Senate staff about my local Nacogdoches research if it wasn’t for Dr. Straub reaching out to me with the CUR STR program,” Beam said. “This experience has given me a new perspective on advocacy and involvement in policymaking. I will continue looking for opportunities to advocate for my passion of aviation, utilizing what I have learned from CUR STR.”
For more information on SFA’s undergraduate research opportunities, visit sfasu.edu/csrcd.