COE Newsletter - March 26

College of Education Newsletter

Sam Houston State University was proud to participate in the 2026 North Texas Teen Book Festival, which proved to be a tremendous success. Library Science faculty members Dr. Brock, Dr. Kinnaird, and Dr. Quilantan‑Garza represented SHSU by moderating panels, delivering presentations, and sharing information about the Library Science program with prospective Bearkat librarians. SHSU COE staff also represented by talking to teachers and librarians about their future in education. The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with future students, highlight our nationally recognized program, and showcase why Sam Houston State University is an exceptional place to pursue a career in library and information science. To see more pictures from the North Texas Teen Book Festival, click the button below!

In partnership with COBA, COHS, COM and COSET, we invite you to participate in this year's March of Dimes: March for Babies. The money raised by this event goes toward efforts to improve maternal and infant health.

This year's march will be held May 9, 2026 at Town Green Park (2099 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380).

Click the button below to register for this year's event!

The First-Generation Center provides resources, programs, and support to promote student success at Sam Houston State University and beyond. One of our signature initiatives is the Trailblazer Mentoring Program, which matches first-generation students with faculty and staff mentors across campus to help them navigate the university experience, build confidence, and strengthen their sense of belonging.

We are currently recruiting mentors for the 2026–2027 academic year and would love to share more information about how to get involved. If you know faculty or staff members who may be interested in serving as a mentor, please feel free to share this opportunity with them. Interested individuals may reach out to me directly or complete the mentor application available on our website below.

The program prioritizes matching students with mentors based on major or career interests, while also considering shared hobbies to encourage strong connections. Students are required to submit a Blackboard documentation form verifying at least two meetings per semester and must actively engage in program modules and center-hosted events. Mentoring is required during the student’s first year, with continued participation encouraged thereafter by mutual agreement. Mentors may serve one to three mentees each semester.

The H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum is looking for volunteers to help with their Veterans Breakfast that is held on the first Saturday of every month. If you are interested in volunteering, please email or call the contacts on the flyer above.

Have questions about travel? Need assistance with marketing or communications? Looking for support with recruiting or booking a space?

Don’t forget about our COE Operations Loop!
This link will now have a permanent spot in our weekly newsletter for quick access to submit any operations request you may have.

Have information, stories, or shoutouts that you want featured in the newsletter? Submit them by using the email link below!

Don't forget to include as many details (and pictures) as possible to make sure that we can give out the best information!

The Student Engagement and Belonging Committee invites you to their upcoming Boardgame Belonging Bonanza! All COE faculty, staff and students are invited to enjoy snacks, boardgames, and karaoke in TEC 279 on April 14 from 12 - 2 PM. We hope to see you there!

"The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice."

- Brian Herbert

Hi, research community!

Last week we shared about the launch of our SharePoint page. We wanted to direct you this week to the section of our SharePoint page where we are going to house all the research development workshop recordings. See the button below to go to the recordings:

Speaking of research development workshops, this week we had a wonderful workshop on Scale Development, presented by Dr. Tracey Hodges. The recording and associated resources are on our page: Center for Research Excellence and Innovation > workshops > recording or "click" on the link in the above paragraph.

Lastly, here's a resource and event that the CREI team is cohosting with the Aging Research Collaborative team for students, both undergraduate and graduate, who might want to be a part of research or grants that focus on aging and older populations. Questions: Reach out to Dr. Rahi at bxa051@SHSU.EDU

Spring 2026 Saturday@SAM

Relive the moments from Saturday@SAM!

Spring 2026 LRE

Relive the moments from Spring 2026 LRE!

Robert Fernandez's Dissertation Proposal Defense, BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF FIRST-GENERATION AND FINANCIALLY DISTRESSED COLLEGE STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES WITH TECHNOLOGY FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS, has been scheduled for April 8, 2026, 5:00 PM, via Zoom:

Alison Brown's Dissertation Proposal Defense, SUCCESSFUL RURAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS: STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS, has been scheduled for April 9, 2026, 10:00 AM, via Zoom: