Axe ’Em, Jacks!
UT System approves $40 million SFA facility to boost entrepreneurship and economic development in East Texas
Story by Korbin Pate '12 & '22
Photo by Trey Cartwright '04, '06 & '12
In May, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a transformative new facility that will house both SFA's Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship and the university's Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation.
The Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship building will be constructed next to the future home of SFA's $85 million Forestry and Agriculture Building and Agricultural Engineering and Technology Building on Raguet Street between Hayter and East College streets, with substantial completion anticipated by mid-2027.
The $40 million project includes $21 million from the state's Permanent University Fund bond proceeds and $19 million from general revenue appropriated by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023.
"The regents are proud to make another investment in this great university, and we are especially pleased that such an important program for students and faculty will have a new facility," said Kevin P. Eltife, UT System Board of Regents chairman. "The Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship continues to establish itself as a signature center for all of East Texas."
"Even if the student works for a large firm, the employer will embrace the worker that comes up with new ways to accomplish things. That's entrepreneurship." - Dr. Todd Brown, associate vice president for academic affairs - entrepreneurship
ACE, which was recognized again this year as one of the top three emerging entrepreneurship programs in the nation by the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, was established in 2023 in the Nelson Rusche College of Business to support innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurial growth across campus and East Texas.
In addition to moving to a new physical location in 2027, ACE has transitioned administratively from the Rusche College of Business to SFA's Division of Academic Affairs as part of its goals to serve the entire campus. Dr. Todd Brown, former associate dean of the Rusche College of Business, has moved to the role of associate vice president for academic affairs - entrepreneurship to lead ACE.
"Our goal is to increase the interest in entrepreneurship among our entire student body," Brown said. "We want every student, regardless of major, to get a chance to fuel their entrepreneurial spirit while they are at SFA."
He added that an entrepreneurial foundation can help all students succeed — not just those launching businesses.
"An entrepreneurial mind is great for starting and running a business," Brown said. "However, even if the student works for a large firm, the employer will embrace the worker that comes up with new ways to accomplish things. That's entrepreneurship."
In addition to ACE, Brown will oversee SFA's Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation, which works to advance economic growth in the rural, 12-county Deep East Texas region. Established in 2021, CARRI collaborates with education, industry and community members to leverage, promote and advocate activities that result in a direct impact on economic development in this region.
"This state-of-the-art facility... will be a key resource in East Texas' entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering regional economic growth by guiding students to collaborate with local businesses and government to discover their vision." - SFA President Dr. Neal Weaver
In his new leadership position, Brown will focus on entrepreneurship, economic development and building partnerships with the help of Dr. Hollie Smith '00 & '02, former executive director of Student Life in the Division of Enrollment and Student Engagement, who has moved to the role of executive director of community partnerships. Monica Loa '20, CARRI associate director, and Matthew Smilor, ACE director, also have transitioned into the broader, campuswide vision for the ACE building, which SFA President Dr. Neal Weaver said will be a hub for business development in the region.
"This state-of-the-art facility not only will strengthen SFA's commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation but also will be a key resource in East Texas' entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering regional economic growth by guiding students to collaborate with local businesses and government to discover their vision," Weaver said.
The two-story, 39,170-square-foot building will offer immersive and flexible spaces tailored to modern entrepreneurial education, including simulated learning environments, dedicated coworking spaces and innovation labs.
The facility's multipurpose LED volume production studio, which will feature technology to create realistic and immersive virtual environments for film, television and video production, will be available for collaborative projects and entrepreneurial ventures across SFA's areas of study. These disciplines encompass:
- media and communications
- forestry and agriculture
- health care
- science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM
- and education, including the university's construction management and aviation sciences programs.
With the approval of the design development plans and funding allocation, SFA moves one step closer to creating a dynamic hub for future business leaders, visiting entrepreneurs and students eager to bring their ideas to life.
For more information on ACE and CARRI, visit sfasu.edu/ace and sfasu.edu/carri, respectively.
Pictured from left: Dr. Raymond Jones, entrepreneurship program director and associate professor for Rusche College of Business; Dr. Todd Brown, associate vice president for academic affairs - entrepreneurship; Dr. Jason Reese, interim dean of Rusche College of Business; Greg Arnold '87, SFA benefactor and CEO of TAC - The Arnold Companies; Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president; and John Branch '96, associate vice president for facilities and campus operations.