SFA to launch College of Health Professions to strengthen rural health, workforce readiness

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University will launch the College of Health Professions effective July 1, positioning the university as a regional leader in rural health workforce development and innovation.

The new college, which is part of a broader academic reorganization, reflects SFA's continued commitment to meeting evolving needs of students, employers and the East Texas region. The changes were officially approved by The University of Texas System Board of Regents during the November regularly scheduled meeting.

"This reorganization is about positioning SFA for the future," said Dr. Jordan Barkley, provost and executive vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs. "As higher education changes, we're ensuring our students are prepared to enter a dynamic workforce. By bringing health-focused disciplines together, we're creating opportunities for collaboration that directly serve East Texas, from expanding rural health care to advancing research and innovation."

The College of Health Professions will unite programs in nursing, psychology, kinesiology, athletic training, public health, dietetics and nutritional sciences, counseling, social work, speech-language pathology and family sciences, creating SFA's largest and most interdisciplinary academic unit. This alignment expands pathways into high-demand health professions and strengthens the university's role as the leading rural-serving institution in East Texas.

According to research from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, all 24 counties in East Texas are designated health professional shortage areas, and many lack OB-GYN and pediatric services. Through new partnerships, enhanced simulation facilities and collaborative research, SFA's new college will prepare graduates to meet the unique health and wellness needs of rural communities while supporting economic development across the region.

A national search for the College of Health Professions' inaugural dean will begin immediately. The additional academic reorganization changes will be announced following the UT System Board of Regents meeting in February.