Please join us in congratulating Dr. Marcus Boccaccini, who was recently promoted to Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and Philosophy. This is a much-deserved honor that acknowledges the dedicated and distinguished service, teaching, and scholarship that he has conducted at Sam Houston State University. In addition, it recognizes the exemplary contributions to the field of Forensic Psychology and service to the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at SHSU. Dr. Boccaccini will be recognized and presented an award at the 2024 Academic Awards Dinner.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Frances Brandau (Chair, Department of Communication Studies), who was recently elected as the next Executive Director of the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA). This title recognizes Dr. Brandau's commitment to the field and fostering new Communication Studies research, both at SHSU and beyond. Dr. Brandau will begin shadowing the current Executive Director this year and will assume the position completely in 2025.

At the 2024 Model United Nations (MUN) conference in New York City, Sam Houston Bearkats showcased outstanding diplomacy and global policymaking skills. Led by Dr. Dennis Weng, from the Department of Political Science, twelve students from diverse disciplines, guided by head delegates Alondra Bermea and Taylar Russell, garnered awards including an Honorable Mention and the university's first Best Position Paper Award.

The demanding MUN schedule tested the delegates' commitment and endurance, culminating in a rewarding experience that included a significant ceremony at the United Nations building. This event celebrated their achievements and highlighted the collaborative spirit and learning acquired throughout the week. Beyond academic achievement, SHSU's MUN participation reflects its commitment to global awareness and community engagement, offering students transformative experiences and opportunities for personal growth. As preparations for the 2025 Model UN begin, SHSU invites students to join in cultivating essential skills for global citizenship develop essential skills in public speaking, and critical thinking.

Read more about MUN here.

The Department of Sociology currently has five interns placed within different organizations including Walker, Montgomery and Harris counties. These internships are an opportunity for students to gain a strong sense of community engagement. Working with local and surrounding counties makes their experiences more meaningful and gives a deeper meaning to the motto of SHSU, “The Measure of a Life is its Service.”

This month, we highlight Lydia Williams, a sociology major with minors in theater and psychology, who is interning at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library. Introduced to the opportunity by her professor, Dr. Lee Miller, Lydia assists with various tasks including tours and historical demonstrations and the chance to dress in period costumes. The internship provides valuable hands-on experience, especially in working with children and refining attention to detail. Lydia sees the internship as a stepping stone towards her goal of becoming a drama therapist, as it has exposed her to new ways of using theater. She advises future interns to be prepared for the time commitment, maintain a strong work ethic, and approach tasks with an open mind.

Students interested in applying for an internship may contact Dr. Lee Miller, Director of Internships at lmm007@shsu.edu or (936)294-1517 for a complete list of requirements.

Congratulations to Dr. Caleb G. Hubbard (Department of Communication Studies) and co-author Ellie Weaver for their work titled "Even if you don't watch with me, I will tell you about it": Understanding secondhand fanship through romantic partners" presented at the Eastern Communication Association Conference in March 2024. They received Top Paper for Interpersonal Communication Division. Their fanship research delves into how interpersonal relationships influence individuals' engagement with popular culture, demonstrating that fans transfer aspects of fanship to non-fans through positive relationships. This study marks the beginning of a promising research line, with Dr. Hubbard set to represent the university and College of Humanities and Social Sciences in future conferences and publications.

Dr. Kristin Bennett (Department of English) and co-author, Dr. Mark Hanna, won the Technical and Scientific Communication Award for Best Article Reporting Qualitative or Quantitative Research in Technical or Scientific Communication at the 2024 Conference on College Composition and Communication. The summer before she started at SHSU, Dr. Bennett wrote the article, “Transforming the Rights-Based Encounter: Disability Rights, Disability Justice, and the Ethics of Access,” seen in volume 36, issue 3, of the Journal of Business and Technical Communication. She says, “the department has been supportive of my research in disability studies and technical communication, and has helped me grow as a researcher in the area of writing and artificial intelligence.” Prior to winning the award, she also received an Odyssey Grant from Engaging Explorations.

For 1 day, 8 hours, 7 minutes, and 9 seconds alumni, parents, friends and Bearkat fans from all over can come together online to make a difference and support their favorite college, program, scholarship, or University initiative that is meaningful to them.

Gifts to our college can help students from across the university learn the fundamental building blocks at the center of all education. By studying our human nature, our pasts, and our relations to each other, students are better able to identify the world around them, their place in it, and their ability to influence change, no matter what career path they may take.

Among the valuable skills students learn across our disciplines are critical and strategic thinking, synthesizing and presenting complex information, and creative problem solving. Students learn to be resilient and adaptable for coping with our challenging world—abilities that employers value and seek. 

In addition to the needs of each department, the college would highlight the needs in the following areas:

Each generous donation plays a pivotal role in empowering SHSU to cultivate student success.

Can’t wait to be a part of SHSU Giving Day? Make your gift early!

*Calling All Students, Faculty, and Staff*

We are looking for a new name for the CHSS e-newsletter and we need YOUR help to make it happen. This newsletter delivers the latest news, events, achievements, and success stories straight to your inbox.

What's in it for you? First off, eternal glory. Imagine seeing your genius creation sent out to CHSS readers every month. If that's not enticing enough, how about some cold, hard cash? That's right, the winner will pocket $300!

Give us your best name suggestions below and be entered in to win $300! The submission form will close on May 15, 2024. The winner will be contacted via email and the new name will be launched August 15th in our first newsletter of the new school year! Don't miss out on the chance to leave your mark on our college community. 

* Calling All Upcoming Graduates *

We are looking for CHSS graduates to feature in the May edition of the CHSS Newsletter! Help us tell your story, your experiences as a student, and your advice for current and future BearKats!

Submissions will close on May 3, 2024. Don't miss out on the chance to have your story told!

Still looking for courses to register for the upcoming semesters? We are happy to announce that our course catalog has some new offers!

Minor in Cultural Competency

The Minor in Cultural Competency offers students an interdisciplinary understanding of the pluralistic workplaces and communities of today. By minoring in cultural competency, students gain knowledge, skills, and perspectives essential to full participation in civic life, career development, and the promotion of a just society. See the full degree plan here.

Minor in Medical Humanities and Social Sciences

The Minor in Medical Humanities and Social Sciences provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum that draws from the studies of rhetoric, literature, communication, philosophy, ethics, history, culture, psychology, political science, and sociology.  Thus, the minor complements majors from all Humanities, Social Sciences, and Allied Health disciplines.  It prioritizes student success and access by preparing them for advanced study or careers in medicine, healthcare policy or law, public health, social work, patient navigation and advocacy, healthcare administration, and health communication, among others. See the full degree plan here.

Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Health and Social Care Professionals

The Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Health and Social Care Professionals offers students interested in pursuing careers in the health and social care industry an understanding of interpersonal communication skills essential to health contexts. The certificate is a freestanding credential that can be earned as a stand-alone certification or awarded on the way toward a bachelor's degree. See the full certificate plan here.

Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Legal and Criminal Justice Professionals

The Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Legal and Criminal Justice Professionals offers students interested in pursuing careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, and the legal profession an understanding of interpersonal communication and conflict management skills essential to legal and criminal justice contexts. The certificate is a freestanding credential that can be earned as a stand-alone certification or awarded on the way toward a bachelor's degree. See the full certificate plan here.

Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Sport Professionals

The Undergraduate Certificate in Communication for Sport Professionals offers students interested in pursuing careers as sport promoters/marketers, professional trainers, sport event coordinators, and more an understanding of interpersonal communication skills and group communication essential to the sports industry. The certificate is a freestanding credential that can be earned as a stand-alone certification or awarded on the way toward a bachelor's degree. See the full certificate plan here.

Still looking for more? Browse the full CHSS Undergraduate Catalog here and the full CHSS Graduate and Professional Catalog here.

Mock Interviews by CommuniKats

Smith Hutson Building, Room 337, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Want to practice your interviewing skills? CommuniKats has you covered! This workshop includes advice from guest speakers on how to nail your interview and the opportunity to practice your interview skills in front of interviewer panels. Students from all majors are encouraged to attend. Bring your own resume or fill in a resume template at the event.

Academic Affairs Distinguished Staff Awards Ceremony

Lowman Student Center, White Ballroom, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Winners of the 2024 Academic Affairs Distinguished Staff Awards will be announced during the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.

Sam Houston State University's First Giving Day Ends

Virtually at SHSU Giving Day, Tuesday at 9:00 AM - Wednesday at 5:07 PM

Giving Day is an online fundraising event that brings together alumni, parents, friends and BearKat fans from all over to make a difference at Sam Houston State University.

Guest Talk: “Black Eugenics and the Politics of Reproduction" with Dr. Ayah Nuriddin

Medical and Health Humanities Speaker Series

Attend via Zoom (registration required), 4:00 PM

Dr. Ayah Nuriddin (Princeton, Department of African American Studies) discusses the relationship between black eugenics and the politics of reproduction. Her research examines how African Americans navigated questions of racial science, eugenics, and hereditarianism in relation to struggles for racial justice in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Lavender Graduation

Lowman Student Center, Orange Ballroom, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

The Lavender Graduation is a celebration by students for LGBTQIA+ seniors graduating in the spring or summer semesters. This event celebrates and honors students in the LGBTQIA+ community for their achievements and upcoming graduation. RSVP by emailing lavenorg.shsu@gmail.com.

CHSS Spring 2024 Commencement

Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, or Watch via Live Stream, 9:30 AM

Join us in celebrating the Spring 2024 graduates!

Read more information about Commencement policies and procedures here.

CHSS Spring 2024 Graduation Reception

CHSS Building, Concourse Level, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Join us in celebrating your recent graduation! Stop by the CHSS building following commencement for appetizers and drinks. This event is open to CHSS faculty, staff, students and their families. 

Join the conversation and use the form below to help us tell your stories.

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