CHSS E-Newsletter

CHSS Monthly E-Newsletter

This spring, CHSS hosted its inaugural Skills Challenge. Inspired by Applied Skills Consortiums, the Skills Challenge challenged three teams of CHSS majors to address an issue that a local nonprofit organization is currently experiencing. This semester, the teams worked with SAAFE House, a local advocacy organization that provides a shelter and crisis intervention services for the community. Over the course of 9 weeks, the teams created proposals to address SAAFE House's need for additional resources and housing to help them serve a greater population.

Following the teams’ boardroom-style presentations to the SAAFE House Executive Staff, awards were given for the Outstanding Team and the Outstanding Individual Team Member. Jessica Bilsing was awarded the Outstanding Individual Team Member Award, and Team 2 consisting of Anahi Bosquez, Jessica Cuevas, and Alexis Minter were awarded the Outstanding Team Award.

What was your experience with the Skills Challenge?

The CHSS Skills Challenge presented a unique experience for students and faculty alike because of the open nature of the challenge. The SAAFE House needs to expand and is in the earliest phase of planning, which meant that students' proposals could go in a variety of directions. My team reached out to contractors and architectural firms and found a wealth of information and ideas about how the SAAFE House can proceed with its expansion. They synthesized this information into a presentation that clearly impressed the directors of the organization. It was a fantastic way for students to put their humanities skillset - research, public speaking, critical thinking - to work for the common good. - Zach Doleshal

The CHSS Skills Challenge was a very fun experience! It definitely got us out of our comfort zone by contacting different construction firms and presenting our presentation to SAAFE House. The team I worked with was very helpful and filled with like minded people who wanted to help SAAFE House the best we could! Knowing that this project was going to help with something bigger was a fulfilling experience and something I would do again! I'm glad that programs like this exist at SHSU because they not only help the students, but also the community! -Lupe Centeno

As a passionate individual who values making a positive impact in the lives of others, I made the decision to join the 2024 Skills Challenge. I believed that my contribution could make a difference and wanted to try my best. Despite the expected challenges that come with any project, I found the experience to be quite rewarding, especially when we acquired our first donor. This was not only exciting but also helped us expand our network and gain more opportunities for donors. We were fortunate to have an amazing faculty advisor, Dena Horne, who was aware of our challenges and worked tirelessly to help us. Her guidance, support, and networking helped us develop a successful plan to overcome this hurdle and achieve our goals. -Alexis Minter

Interested in learning more about the Skills Challenge or want to participate in next year's? Email Dr. James Crosby at crosby@shsu.edu for more information.

Top Row, left to right: Alexis Minter, Dena Horne (Faculty Mentor), Anahi Bosquez

Bottom Row, left to right: Carolina Mancilla (Client Services Director), Tammy Farkas (Community Relations Director), Tracy Stoudt (Executive Director)

Top Row, left to right: Lupe Centeno, Jessica Bilsing, Heidi Parra, Dr. Zach Doleshal (Faculty Mentor)

Bottom Row, left to right: Carolina Mancilla (Client Services Director), Tammy Farkas (Community Relations Director), Tracy Stoudt (Executive Director)

Last November, SHSU Senior Charise Lincoln presented at the TEDxSHSU Conference about her three-step plan to persevering in college: mindfulness, community, and calculated risks. In this interview, Charise discusses how she came up with this plan, how her SHSU community has helped her with her goals, and advice for other students.

What would you say to other students who are considering doing a TED Talk or other conference?

The TED Talk hosts are trying to convey a journey and an idea to the people. People come away after listening to these speeches with renewed hope or more knowledge about something, and you can always provide hope and knowledge to people. I think anyone can do that. So, any future speakers just know that you can provide something, even if you don't think you can, you can. They chose you for a reason. They see that in you. Now it's time for you to show it to other people.

Watch the TED Talk here and read the full interview here.

Spring 2024 graduate Victoria Jones has been a Community Work Study (CWS) student at RISE Counseling & Wellness as a Client Care Coordinator since Fall 2023. Her experiences working there have led to a job opportunity after graduation this May!

What do you think about your experience with CWS?

As a single mother, I think it's wonderful to have the opportunity to be part of the community. CWS is a great place to start when it comes to getting involved in the community, and students can focus on their studies while working.

Spring 2024 graduate Kristen Hester has worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Communication Studies for the past two years. She has been an active research contributer to the field, and as Dr. Anya Lu would describe her, "has been an Amazing GA and one of the best graduate students I had for the last two years" who "is always positive, hard working, and an inspiration to those around her."

What are your biggest takeaways / life lessons learned?

Don't be afraid to try new things because it is not too late to pursue a dream. I received my undergraduate degree 33 years ago and was afraid of starting graduate school. I gained confidence through the experience and learned to trust my opinions and not to be afraid of being wrong.

Bleah Patterson is a poetry candidate in the Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing MFA Program. She has gone to an abundance of conferences, festivals, and residencies this academic year such as the Sigma Tau Delta Conference, the Sundress Residency in Tennessee, New Orleans Poetry Festival, and more. Along with these, she has also been accepted as this year's SHSU National Book Foundation Intern! The National Book Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the outreach of literature and education.

Any advice to those wanting to get into an MFA or find a writing community?

Read a lot, write a lot, read some more, and write about what you learn from reading.

Read the full interview here.

The Sociology Peer Mentoring program is a unique approach to helping new sociology majors and minors transition successfully into the sociology department and the overall college experience. Through this program, students are able to help one another through providing companionship, useful life and academic advice, and by encouraging each other to participate in community events.

What are your thoughts on your experiences with the program?

"The program makes you more comfortable with the students around you." - Mentor Trinity Smith

"It's really helpful being able to get so much information even while not knowing what questions to ask." - Mentee Terralyn De La Porte

Read the full story here.

(L) Sociology Mentee, Terralyn De la Porte pictured with Sociology Mentor, Trinity Smith (R)

🎉 A HUGE thank you to everyone who submitted their brilliant ideas for our e-newsletter name contest! 🎉

We were blown away by your creativity and enthusiasm. Each and every submission has been a testament to the incredible talent and spirit of our college community. We can't wait to unveil the winning name in Fall 2024!

BearKat Kickoff Week: CHSS Open House

CHSS Building Concourse and 1st Floor Lobby, 2:30 - 4:00 PM

Get ready to start the new semester by meeting your CHSS faculty and staff! Departments will be in the Concourse and 1st Floor Lobby with free swag and snacks.

First Day of Class

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the first day of a PAWsome new semester!