Innovation

Establish SFA as the regional hub for innovation that cultivates opportunities for students to meet the emerging needs of the future, allowing SFA to become the premier hands-on, experiential and service learning university that addresses the unique needs of our local and regional communities.

1. Innovation
   1. Partner with business and industry for student experiential and service learning opportunities
      1. Enhance career preparation and readiness by establishing co-operative education (co-op) programs and registered apprenticeships, while also increasing paid internships and teacher placement opportunities.
      2. Seek opportunities to align research and training initiatives to support the regional workforce, especially those dedicated to regional issues, and align university goals to advocate for the region and key issues wherever possible.
   2. Establish SFA as a central hub to address critical needs of East Texas
      1. Maximize the impact of centers for excellence, designed to support community, workforce, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
      2. Explore the feasibility of a community-facing, multi-use facility to bridge the gap between campus and the local/regional community.
   3. Leverage the economic and population growth within the Texas Triangle
      1. Identify credit and non-credit programs to locate in the Houston and DFW metroplex and assess operating needs to deliver those programs.

SFA is positioning itself as a center for INNOVATION. Here, students gain practical experience and tackle real-world challenges, collaborating with industry and community partners to address the evolving and emerging needs of East Texas and beyond.