SFA’s CARRI to host Fall Faculty Showcase

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University's Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation will host the Fall Faculty Showcase to highlight faculty research projects funded by CARRI grants. The event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Chosen by the center's steering committee, nine proposalswith awards totaling more than $215,000 were selected to serve the surrounding rural region through strategic developments or programs for real-world application, tourism attraction to our rural region, and partnerships that support a robust workforce in Deep East Texas.

The event will offer a chance for the public to learn about the projects through video presentations, tabling opportunities, and networking with the grant recipients and attendees.

"This event provides a chance for the SFA and surrounding communities to learn about the incredible projects from our dedicated faculty members," said Mary Ann Rojas, CARRI executive director. "Each faculty member and their project demonstrates economic impact, measurable outcomes and student engagement, which aligns perfectly with CARRI's mission."

Topics to be covered during the presentation range from cancer treatment developments, microplastic pollutants, and teacher scholarships.

Additionally, CARRI recently announced a partnership with IPC International that provided select SFA engineering faculty members a four-day training session in August facilitated by IPC. A faculty member who participated in the recent training session will be present to discuss their experiences in the trainings and the newfound partnership.

Completion of the IPC training allows SFA's engineering faculty to incorporate credentialing courses to provide students the skills directly applicable to electronics, such as soldering, electronic assembly, and cable and harness fabrication.

SFA established CARRI in fall 2021 to engage faculty, staff and students in research projects that support academic programs and boost regional economic development. Since its establishment, the university has awarded numerous scholarships to rural SFA students and stipends to faculty members for innovative research projects. It also was rated the top rural-serving higher education institution in Texas by The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges in 2022.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact CARRI at [email protected], or visit sfasu.edu/CARRI.