The Distinguished Professor designation recognizes sustained excellence and distinction in scholarship, teaching, mentorship, service, and professional leadership.

Dr. Craig Henderson is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and Director of Clinical Training for the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. He is a licensed psychologist in the State of Texas.  Dr. Henderson’s research interests concern the health behaviors of adolescents and emerging adults. 

He has been at SHSU for 21 years, conducting research on adolescent and young adult substance use treatment using family-based approaches, and has an interest in applying advanced data analytic methodologies to address clinically-relevant research questions.  He is Co-Investigator for the Family Involvement in Recovery Support and Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders and Other SUDs (FIRST/NIDA R24DA051946), and Co-Leader of the Consortium on Addiction Recovery Science Measures and Metrics Workgroup (CoARS/NIDA R24DA051946).

His recent research focuses on the work activities and effectiveness of peer-delivered interventions for individuals in recovery (NIDA R03 DA059677; NIDA R24-DA0251988, pilot funds). His clinical interests include training students to be effective, culturally competent clinicians and conducting psychological evaluations for individuals involved in immigration proceedings. Consistent with his focus on doctoral student training, he serves on the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP) and is currently vice-chair. He engages in advocacy at the professional, state, and community levels and facilitates his students doing the same.

One of Sam Houston State University's most unique traditions, Sam Switch, presents Bearkats with the chance to apply and be selected to swap places with University President Alisa White for a day. This year, Kaleb Brown, a graduating Bearkat Battalion Commander and CHSS student, spent the day learning what it takes to lead a university.

The Department of History will host its first annual Civil War Consortium Conference June 12-13th at the Walker Education Center.

The Civil War Consortium at Sam Houston State University aims to promote research and academic community engagement related to the U.S. Civil War and its era. Throughout the year, the consortium provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, Sam Houston State University faculty, visiting scholars, and museum professionals to engage with one another on topics related to the history and memory of the U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction. Annually, the consortium hosts a summer conference on campus. Featuring some of the nation’s leading practitioners of Civil War history, the conference endeavors—through engaging lectures, panel discussions, and tours—to educate the community and lay public about a pivotal moment in both Texas and United States history.

Clinical Psychology graduate student, Austin Smith, presents his research to a group of peers at the 2026 Graduate Research Showcase.

Ever wish you could sit down with someone and hear their story—real experiences, real talk about health and healthcare?

That’s exactly what Kats Shelf is all about. This project brings together students from Multicultural Health Issues (Adannaa Alexander) and Community Applied Communication (Dena Horne), in partnership with Newton Gresham Library, to create an interactive storytelling experience.

Here’s how it works: selected faculty and staff have volunteered to become Storytellers. You can “check them out” for a 20-minute, one-on-one conversation about their health-related experiences. You can also come in groups of up to three and share the experience together. It’s a chance to listen, ask questions, and connect in a friendly, respectful space.

 Kats Shelf kicks off Tuesday, April 21, and Wednesday, April 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Newton Gresham Library. Come by, check out a story, and see what connections you can make!

CHSS faculty, staff, majors, and their family and friends are invited to attend this special graduation celebration. Enjoy light appetizers, connect with fellow graduates, alumni, and faculty, and commemorate this milestone together.

Capture the moment at our graduation photo backdrop and take photos to remember your time at SHSU. 

We look forward to celebrating your success! 

This book examines material artifacts that inhabit the intersection between fashion, colonialism and biological specimen collection. More broadly, this book demonstrates the significance of animal fashion in the nineteenth century, its relation to the Victorian imperial project, and the way the female body has been used to display the exploitation of natural resources as a product of colonialism. 

Drawing from almost 40 years of combined clinical work, research, teaching, and theorizing, the authors synthesize key systemic principles and practices relevant to clinical practice with children, couples, and families. Therapists and trainees will find practical guidance for conceptualizing and addressing relational patterns and family system processes to promote healing after trauma. 

New Scholarships Opportunties

Academic Momentum Program

New and current undergraduate Texas residents who enroll in 12 summer credit hours may receive a $582 scholarship to cover tuition for a three-hour course—helping them stay on track and reduce costs.

Summer Scholarship for Local ISD Employees

Employees of Walker and Montgomery County ISDs may receive up to $1,200 for Summer 2026 courses ($200 per credit hour, up to six hours). This opportunity supports both undergraduate and graduate study with flexible online course options.

Orange Keys Applications Open

Orange Keys applications are open to all students who have completed 3 long semesters at SHSU. Apply to become 1 of 18 official ambassadors of SHSU!

Get Published, Get Noticed!

The Measure is the CHSS undergraduate research journal that invites you to share the innovative and insightful scholarly papers and posters you've worked on this academic year. 

Spring submissions are due May 24, 2026

Need a little something extra on your resume?

CHSS is now accepting applications to become an ambassador!

This is a great opportunity for students to represent the college at university events and network with leaders across campus and the community.

Reminder to complete your general application for scholarship opportunities. The priority deadline has passed, but the application is still open for scholarships that have yet to be awarded.

Don't forget to submit your FAFSA!

Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.

April 2026

Join us for the 19th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, a free event showcasing the scholarly work of Sam Houston State University undergraduates across all disciplines.

Sam Houston State University and the Office of Annual Giving are excited to announce our third annual Giving Day at SHSU! We hope you will be a part of this year's success!

For 1 day, 8 hours, 7 mins, and 9 seconds, let's join together online and build a better future for SHSU!  

Mark your calendars, follow along on social media, and reach out to us if you would like to maximize your impact on Giving Day by encouraging others to participate!

The Kats Shelf Project offers the SHSU community a unique opportunity to engage in conversations with faculty and staff about their health-related experiences, learning directly from their stories. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of others within our community and the unique perspectives they bring.

Come learn about health, well-being, and communication research!
Our panelists will discuss topics such as influences on public health behaviors,
patient-doctor communication, health disparities, and more.

BRING YOUR FANDOM to the first Kat Kon Comic Con hosted by the Kat Klub and Christian Brooks. This event is all about bringing your creativity to life. We are encouraging students to submit art and fan edits (up to 6 minutes) now through April 17! The first 20 submissions will be shown during the event. Come and view what other Bearkats have created, talk to vendors and student orgs, and participate in the Cosplay Contest.

Cosplay Contest rules will be shared in detail on social media @shsulsc

May 2026

University-sanctioned Reading Days are incorporated into the university calendar in an effort to provide students with additional study and exam preparation days

Good luck on final exams Bearkats!

Congratulations to all of our graduates! We wish you the best in your future endeavors. 

If you have any events, stories, successes, announcements, or news about students, faculty, staff, or alumni please send it over!

We want our Bearkat Community to celebrate with you!

CHSS Newsletter

Tiffany Hubrig - Marketing and Communications Coordinator

This email is being sent to CHSS Faculty, Staff and Students

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