Staff
Meredith Conrey (she/her)
Director
CliftonStrengths Top Five Themes of Talent:
Strategic / Responsibility / Positivity / Communication / Maximizer
Dr. Meredith Conrey provides administrative and strategic leadership for the Department of Student Involvement: Leadership & Service at Sam Houston State University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education, including housing, student conduct, student activities, leadership development, service-learning, and teaching. Before joining SHSU in 2011, Meredith worked at Texas A&M University and Baylor University. Meredith earned her doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Sam Houston State University, and she has a B.A. in Speech Communication and a M.S. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University. Meredith is actively involved in NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education). She has served as a regional board member, and she co-chaired the 2017 NASPA Region III Summer Symposium. Additionally, Meredith is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Outside of the office, Meredith enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and traveling.
Emily Figueroa (she/her)
Associate Director
CliftonStrengths Top Five Themes of Talent:
Competition / Input / Significance / Command / Strategic
Emily Figueroa, Associate Director for Student Involvement: Leadership & Service, is initially from George West, Texas. She received a bachelor’s degree in Human Geography and two master’s degrees in Higher Education Administration and History from Sam Houston State University. After graduating with her bachelor's degree in 2016, Emily joined the Department of Student Involvement: Leadership & Service as a Program Specialist and is quickly moving up in ranks to meet her goal of one day ruling the world. While not working, Emily enjoys reading books in a comfy chair surrounded by her dog, cat, and hot coffee. She is always down for a road trip and loves attending concerts with friends. She prides herself on the fact that she (her husband) scored tickets to Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.
Mikayla White (she/her)
Program Specialist
CliftonStrengths Top Five Themes of Talent:
Responsibility / Deliberative / Harmony / Developer / Input
Mikayla White, Program Specialist for Student Involvement: Leadership & Service, is originally from Dayton, Texas. She received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and is currently working on a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Sam Houston State University. Mikayla began her higher education career with Student Involvement: Leadership & Service as a student employee in 2016, then transitioned into a full-time Academic Advising position at SHSU. Mikayla rejoined the Department of Leadership Initiatives in 2021 as a Program Specialist overseeing Service-Learning Programs and helping with student organizations. While not working, Mikayla enjoys movie/game nights and going on adventures with friends and family.
Erika Lawrence (she/her)
Administrative Coordinator III
CliftonStrengths Top Five Themes of Talent:
Harmony / Consistency / Relator / Responsibility / Analytical
Erika Lawrence, Admin Coordinator for Student Involvement: Leadership & Service was born and raised in Huntsville, Texas.She received a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sociology. Erika has worked in the LSC Office, VPSA Office, and Dean of Students’ Office before arriving at Student Involvement. Some of Erika’s duties at work include tracking and maintaining all aspects of the budget, travel for students and staff, and assist as needed. Outside of the office, Erika enjoys spending time with family and friends.
