For Arnesha Young, Sam Houston State University means more than just a degree. The choice to become a Bearkat led to a foundational community rooted in purpose and a lifelong commitment to excellence.

Phillip Lyons has a new entry for his list of accomplishments over the course of his distinguished career. For the first time since earning his Juris Doctorate (JD) in 1994, the Dean for the SHSU College of Criminal Justice (COCJ) has recently taken and passed the bar exam and is officially an attorney in the State of Texas.

The second annual Sam Houston State University Giving Day fundraising initiative has met and exceeded expectations once again, raising $306,478 from approximately 1,026 donors, with gifts continuing to come in. 

SHSU-COM, in partnership with the Sam Houston Regional Education Consortium and Huntsville Memorial Hospital , has received a $500,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board through the Rural Resident Physician Program. This funding will support the expansion of the HMH Family Medicine Residency Program, bringing more healthcare providers to the area and increasing access to primary care in Walker County and surrounding rural communities.

Three graduate students involved in the Sam Houston State University chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society recently presented their creative works at the group’s annual meeting in late March. Bleah Patterson, Brittany Bustos and Brianna Chapman flew together to the convention in Pittsburg to showcase the creative excellence of the students in SHSU’s Department of English.   

Regardless of a Bearkat’s chosen field of study, Sam Houston State University strives to provide students with a taste of multiple specialties during their academic training. Academic Community Engagement (ACE) courses offer students opportunities to use their skills and training outside of the classroom as they advance toward becoming dynamic professionals.  

Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) is a national honor society that focuses on first-year students’ success. The organization has chapters at over 400 campuses, including Sam Houston State University, where over 50% of students and many faculty and staff identify as first-generation college students.