Distinguished Alumni
Monica Thompson-Guidry
Awarded 2023
The Honorable Monica Thompson Guidry developed a myriad of skills during her time at Sam Houston State University, setting her up for an extremely diverse and successful career in science and law.
The 2023 SHSU Distinguished Alumni recipient earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1984 before accepting a fellowship with the Biology Department to pursue her master’s degree. She worked several summers as an orientation counselor, taught introductory biology labs and was a member of the Student Government Association. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Theta Epsilon Chapter, during her time at Sam.
After graduating with a Master of Arts in Biology in 1987, she signed on as a lab analyst at Meadowland Creamery and Harris County Pollution Control. From 1990 to 1995, she worked at the Houston Police Department Crime Lab, where she was qualified as an expert witness in serology and DNA analysis.
Guidry then entered South Texas College of Law in Houston to work in the Student Affairs office and served in the Student Bar Association as the American Bar Association Representative. She then began her legal career in 1997 as a law clerk for the Honorable Kathleen Stone, 55th District Court for the State of Texas. Following her clerkship, she relocated to Kansas City, Missouri to work as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Labor.
In 2000, she moved to Los Angeles to be near her nieces and nephews. There, she was employed by the Alfred Mann Institute at the University of Southern California and prepared clinical trial applications for a medical device while teaching classes at the School of Pharmacy.
Guidry then accepted a position as Assistant District Counsel in LA’s District Counsel’s office before returning to Texas and transferring to the Chief Counsel’s office in Houston. In 2003, she was selected to participate in the transition team addressing customs enforcement issues. As a part of this team, she was responsible for advising the SAC offices in Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Antonio and Tucson.
She was a Deputy Chief Counsel with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Houston for nine years. She received numerous performance and special achievement awards and served as a trainer for attorneys, officers and agents at DHS.
She was then appointed to the position of immigration judge for the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition to hearing immigration cases, she serves as a mentor to new immigration judges and judicial law clerks. Guidry is a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, where she serves as a worship coordinator and hospitality minister.
In 2007, she married Henry A. Guidry, Sr, and has been blessed with five bonus children and eight grandchildren. Her passions include baking, traveling with Henry and planning parties for family and friends.