The ATCOFA 2013 Newsletter is now available online. Select Newsletter to download a pdf file.  The Fall 2013 Newsletter has college highlights and news, faculty and staff updates, student and student organization experiences including internships and awards, graduate study profiles, alumni awards and career profiles, as well as a feature section on revision of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry curriculum.

By Andreya Taylor

The Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University is working with Älvdalen's Educational Center, a forestry and hospitality post-secondary technical college in Älvdalen, Sweden, to create a study abroad program.

According to Dr. Hans Williams, associate dean of the college of forestry and agriculture, Ing-Marie Bergman emailed him to see if the college of forestry would be interested in collaborating. Bergman is in charge of international programs at Älvdalen's Educational Center. The institution encourages its students to complete internships abroad, but the faculty was having a difficult time setting up a program in the United States. Williams, along with Drs. Theresa Coble and Brian Oswald from forestry and Dr. Chay Runnels, assistant professor of human sciences, have been working with Älvdalen to get a program started.

In May 2012, faculty members from Älvdalen visited the Temple College and School of Human Sciences. In turn, SFA faculty members traveled to Sweden in April of 2013 to learn more about Älvdalen's programs. Williams said everyone was extremely impressed.

The Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, along with two students, was featured in the Society of American Foresters Guide to Forestry and Natural Resources Programs.  The successs of Chelsea Lopez and Paul Holowka are highlighted on page 12.  Lopez plans to work for the US Fish and Wildlife Service after graduation in May 2014. Holowka has been accepted into graduate school at Johns Hopkins University where he'll pursue his master's degree in ecological management. Both students credit their success to the college of forestry and agriculture, which is featured on page 13 of the guide.

SAF's Guide to Forestry and Natural Resources Programs

Preliminary Results of ATCOFA’s Revision of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry Curriculum

To help assure the Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) program produces society-ready, society-engaged forestry and natural resource professionals prepared for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities, a project of reviewing and revising the BSF curriculum was initiated in May of 2012.  A Curriculum Revision committee was formed that was composed of ATCOFA’s BSF faculty.  Additionally a Research Sub-committee was appointed to develop an in-depth research design for studying the needs associated with a BSF curriculum revision.  The sub-committee met twice a week during the 2012-2013 academic year, and as a result of these meetings, a two-phased research study was developed and implemented in November 2012 through February 2013.

The first phase of the research involved surveying over 3,000 individuals associated with the ATCOFA BSF program, as well as forestry/natural resource programs. A detailed survey was provided to participating individuals in either a paper format or an electronic version. The second phase of the research was conducted through Focus Group discussions led by a non-forestry/natural resource professional.  Sixteen focus groups were held across Texas that were made up of a diverse combination of forestry/natural resource professionals, including federal and state agency members, ATCOFA alumni, landowners, and forestry/natural resource businesses.

Analysis of the research data from both the surveys and the Focus Groups began in early March 2013, showing that communication skills, professionalism, and technical skills and knowledge are all vitally important for society-ready, society-engaged foresters and natural resource professionals.  The final step in the curriculum revision process was to conduct a series of six three-hour BSF faculty meetings to discuss research results, plans and actions needed to update and revise the curriculum, and to discuss how to best implement those plans.

Over the course of the summer of 2013, various faculty groups have been formed to continue with the BSF curriculum revision process. Additional analysis of the data will continue to be conducted in the future, as well as assessment and review of the updated BSF curriculum. The paperwork and approval process for revising the curriculum will be submitted in the fall of 2013, with the goal of implementing the new curriculum in the 2014-15 academic year.

Successful curriculum revision would not have been possible without critical input provided by the forestry and natural resources professional community. Everyone’s participation is greatly appreciated.  Continue to check out the ATCOFA website for further updates on the on-going research findings.

For additional information or to provide comments or suggestions, please contact Dr. Theresa Coble at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Dr. Pat Stephens Williams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Download 2013 Forestry Curriculum Revision handouts.

Qualitative Competencies Summary

Quantitative Competencies Summary

Combined Ranking Competencies

Dr. Warren Conway was honored at Stephen F. Austin State University's annual Teaching Excellence Convocation yesterday.  The teaching excellence awards were established in 1994 to honor outstanding classroom teachers at SFA.  The recipients receive the award based on knowledge of subject matter, quality of lectures and assignments, enthusiasm for teaching, interest in and availability to students, committment to continuous improvement, and contribution to the quality of teaching within SFA by assisting and encouraging other faculty members.