Alumni Accomplishments

Leadership Academy Alumni

Mary Funck smiles for a photo. Dr. Mary Funck, Associate Professor, promoted to Chair of the Department of Finance & Banking, Sam Houston State University

2023-2024

Jessica Gorbett smiles for a photo. Jessica Gorbett, named Director of Online Marketing and User Experience, University of Houston

2023-2024

Michael Hardges smiles for a photo.Michael Hardges, selected as Parole Commissioner for the Angleton Board Office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2023-2024

Damon Andrews smiles for a photo.Damon Andrews, promoted to Deputy Director of the Facilities Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2022-2023

Angela Chevalier smiles for a photo.Angela Chevalier, promoted to Region IV Director of the Correctional Institutions Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2022-2023

Casey Cox smiles for a photo. Wearing a snappy orange and blue suit. Casey Cox, Director of Development at SHSU, elected to Huntsville City Council

2022-2023

Armon Irones smiles for a photo.Armon Irones, selected as Senior Urban Planner, Freese and Nichols

2022-2023

Lindsay Lauher smiles for a photo.Lindsay Lauher, promoted to Director of Membership and Engagement, Sam Houston State University

2022-2023

Mary McCaffity smiles for a photo. Mary McCaffity, promoted to Human Resources Division Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2022-2023

Kasey Shelton smiles for a photo.Kasey Shelton promoted to Director of Admissions Recruitment at Sam Houston State University

2022-2023

Dr. Rachel Valle smiles for a photo.Dr. Rachel Valle, Promoted to Executive Director of Student Engagement at Sam Houston State University

2021-2022

Dr. William Wells poses for a photo. Wearing a button down shirt. Smiling in front of a neon sign glowing Justice. Dr. William Wells, Chair of the College of Criminal Justice at SHSU, collaborated with a community organization to create a Community Engaged Scholarship

2021-2022

Jeanine Bias smiles for a photo.Jeanine Bias, now serving as Associate Vice President for Student Experience and Chief Retention Officer, Sam Houston State University

2020-2021

Ricardo Montelongo smiles for a photo. Looks up and off camera smiling. Dr. Ricardo Montelongo, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, honored with the 2022 Outstanding Graduate Mentor award from SHSU and the Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University

2020-2021

 Tracy Rikard smiles for a photo. Tracy Rikard, City of Huntsville Tourism Manager, received the 1st Place Award for Community/Local Engagement Campaign

2020-2021

Dr. Melinda Miller Holt smiles for a photo.Dr. Melinda Miller Holt named Dean of the College of Science and Engineering Technology

2019-2020

Dr. Chelsea Smith smiles for a photo.Dr. Chelsea Smith, Promoted to Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Sam Houston State University

2019-2020

L. E. Townsend IV smiles for a photo.L. E. Townsend IV, selected at Deputy Division Director of the Correctional Institutions Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2019-2020

Jeremy Bryant smiles for a photo.Jeremy Bryant, promoted to Deputy Division Director of Human Resources – Recruiting, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2017-2018

Emily Roper smiles for a photo.Dr. Emily Roper, named Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University

2017-2018

Matthew Olmstead smiles for a photo.Matthew Olmstead, selected as Assistant Dean of Business Operations, Weiss School of Natural Sciences, Rice University

2016-2017

Dr. Gene Roberts smiles for a photo.Gene Roberts, JD, EdD, selected as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the Who’s Who Legal: Commercial Mediation 2024 report

2015-2016

Ann Theodori smiles for a photo.Ann Theodori, selected as Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, University of Houston-Clear Lake

2015-2016

Katy Pelton smiles for a photo.Katy Pelton, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Sam Houston State University, Serving as Chair of the Awards Committee for the Association of College and University Housing Offices – International

2014-2015

Bobby Lumpkin smiles for a photo.Bobby Lumpkin, promoted to Chief Operations Officer, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

2013-2014

Ryan Zapalac smiles for a photo.Ryan Zapalac, named dean of the College of Health Sciences, Sam Houston State University

2013-2014