Today@Sam Article

SHSU Featured On Nationally Broadcast TV Series, 'The College Tour'

Nov. 8, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

tour imageSam Houston State University is one of the latest colleges to be spotlighted on “The College Tour,” an Amazon Prime television series created by Emmy-nominated and multi-award-winning producers. The university is featured in season 2, which will air beginning Nov. 8 on Amazon Prime and Roku.

In the episode, viewers visit historic Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and meet 10 students from diverse backgrounds, sharing their personal college experience at Sam Houston State. Between academics, research opportunities, student life, athletics and making life-long connections as Bearkats, these students show what it's like to be a part of a close-knit campus community.

“It’s a unique way to reach prospective students through digital mediums – something that current Gen Z’ers have come to expect. And, since the pandemic, traditional campus visits as we know them have changed to include virtual options. This series gives students, and their parents, the best of both worlds,” said Leah Mulligan, associate vice president for Enrollment Success. 

The series is the brainchild of host Alex Boylan, who was part of the winning team on the second season of the reality TV show “The Amazing Race.” With each episode of “The College Tour,” Boylan takes viewers on campus to show what daily life is really like, told through the voices of actual students.

“Being a part of this was a great experience and opportunity to not only remember, but also showcase why I first fell in love with Sam Houston,” said education major Erin Griffin. “It also provides prospective students with an opportunity to envision themselves here at SHSU and see themselves through me and other fellow Bearkats. We made it to Sam Houston despite any struggles we faced, and they can too.”

The idea for the show came to Boylan after college visit discussions with his 16-year-old niece, who wanted to tour various colleges all over the country. Due to the pandemic and the cost of travel, she wasn’t able, so Boylan and his team used their production skills and talent to bring universities directly to students.

“This has been incredibly fun to produce and has become wildly successful by highlighting so many unique factors that make up the total college experience,” Boylan said.

Ryan Gutierrez, a doctoral student in the university’s nationally recognized Forensic Science program added, "It was fun working together with ‘The College Tour’ to tell my story. Hopefully prospective students can see all the great things we have to offer and consider joining the Bearkat family!"

For more information about “The College Tour” – Sam Houston State University, visit: shsu.edu/thecollegetour .

Prospective college students and their families can stream “The College Tour” episodes for free on TV platforms around the world, including: Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and on smart TVs from manufactures including LG, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Phillips, Sharp, and other TCL Android-driven smart TVs.

For information on where to find “The College Tour” app and channel, you can learn more here.

SHSU students featured:

Portrait of Jordan Johnson

Jordan Johnson

Mass Communication – Public Relations and Advertising
2021 Graduate
Round Rock, Texas

Our culture is inclusive and focused on ensuring equity for all students.

Portrait of Ryan Gutierrez

Ryan Gutierrez

Forensic Science, PhD
Doctoral
Alvin, Texas

What I’m researching is cutting-edge. Although I consider myself just a student, with the support I’m getting from my faculty, I’m able to make an impact in a field that I’m passionate about.

Portrait of Jennifer Fortenberry

Jennifer Fortenberry

Mass Communication – Film and a minor in Human Services
2021 Graduate
Lubbock, Texas

SHSU has given me so many great opportunities. I have loved my time here as a student and am so excited about where I’ll end up after graduation!

Portrait of Francisco Pena Cardenas

Francisco Peña Cardenas

Homeland Security
2021 Graduate
Waxahachie, Texas

Transitioning from the military as a first-generation college student, the challenges I faced were tougher than I expected. Thankfully SHSU offers great resources and is considered a military-friendly college.

Portrait of Courtney Sumaya-Herrera

Courtney Sumaya-Herrera

Interdisciplinary Agriculture
Senior
Coarsegold, California

Sam Houston State has prepared me to not only succeed in my career as an ag teacher, but also as an agriculturist.

Portrait of Willie Kinch III

Willie Kinch III

Nursing
Junior
Houston, Texas

I want to continue serving and advocating for others, the same way that I’ve been able to do here.

Portrait of Erin Griffin

Erin Griffin

Education
Senior
Baytown, Texas

With the wide variety of helpful resources available to students, I’ve been able to take care of myself and become financially stable for the first time in years.

Portrait of Ryan Humphries

Ryan Humphries

Business Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Junior
Sulphur Springs, Texas

I’ve learned a lot about the student-athlete experience and my appreciation for college athletes has definitely deepened. We are a close-knit Bearkat family.

Portrait of Ashley Wright

Ashley Wright

School of Counseling, MEd
2017 Graduate
Houston, Texas

SHSU sparked the passion within me for serving people and instilling a belief that no matter what someone goes through, they can get better, can push forward and can change their reality.

Portrait of Kensley Grant

Kensley Grant

Osteopathic Medicine, DO
Med Student – Year 2
Paducah, Texas

As a small-town guy from rural West Texas, I know that our COM will make a difference in the lives of Texans for years to come.

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Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd
Telephone: 936.294.1837

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Telephone: 936.294.2638

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