The year was 1998. Titanic dominated the box office; boy bands ruled the airwaves and the internet was the Wild West of innovation. Four years earlier, my family had acquired our first computer, and I was instantly hooked. At just 14 years old, I fell in love with tinkering—upgrading hardware, teaching myself to code and learning how software worked. By the time I graduated high school, I was confident: computer science was my future.

Two Academic Community Engagement (ACE) courses from Sam Houston State University's College of Business Administration (COBA) have been featured in the most recent volume of the college’s Journal of Business Strategies. These two case studies highlight the mutually beneficial nature of ACE courses between students, faculty and community partners.

With tomorrow’s burning questions requiring industry-aligned solutions today, Bearkats are uniquely positioned in the higher education field to deliver immediate, effective results for employers near and far. Through its groundbreaking Polytechnic College, SamPoly, Sam Houston State University is providing students with cutting-edge curricula and redefining what it means to be job-ready in the modern age.

The Sam Houston State University Charter School received an overall A rating for the 2022-23 academic year from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), placing it among the top 10% of Texas school districts with just 128 out of 1,198 earning the distinction.

Sam Houston State University’s Summer 2025 Commencement ceremonies will take place Saturday, August 2, at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Degree candidates attending the morning ceremony will be addressed by Jamie Woodall while afternoon graduates will hear from Jeremy Dishongh.

Sam Houston State University alumni Alfred and Ann Boudny have dedicated their lives to future generations. The steadfast commitment to education that mirrors their alma mater is now entrenched in the Katy Independent School District’s new Alfred and Ann Boudny Elementary School.

Hagui Cardona grew up in Houston idolizing action movie heroes who gave their all to protect and defend their country and allies. While a young Cardona thought the movies and action heroes were amazing at the time, he didn’t realize that he would one day exceed the actions of those on screen through his commission as a First Army Officer.

Trista Alvarado is a first-generation Bearkat making bold strides toward her dream of helping others. In this Rise to Greater story, Trista shares how her upbringing, community and time at SHSU have shaped her passion for social work. As a student driven by purpose and compassion, she’s committed to creating real change for families and children across Texas.