Brandon '08 and Christine '07
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University, Brandon Reese ’08 felt well prepared for his position as field representative for Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas).
“Being able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to think critically and to act in a professional manner are all skills that are necessary to carry out the tasks of my job,” says Reese, who lives in Huntsville. “I developed those skills in the classes I took at SHSU and through being a member of the Political Science Junior Fellows.”
Reese credits Professor Mike Yawn for helping him, as a student, land an internship with Brady. The seven-term congressman represents the 8th District of Texas in the U.S House of Representatives.
“I was able to spend a full semester in Washington, D.C., Reese says. “That was an experience that changed my life.”
As a member of the Political Science Junior Fellows, Reese was allowed to interact with government and political leaders and participate in community service activities. “I am so grateful to SHSU for those opportunities.”
His favorite memories surround the meetings and laughs he had with his senior thesis advisor, the late Dr. John Holcombe. “We would meet once a week in his office and he would help me fine-tune the arguments I was trying to make in my paper,” Reese recalls. “No matter how I was feeling before I went into his office, he always had a way of making me feel confident in myself.”
That typifies his experience at SHSU, which Reese describes as a “university that has a rich history and is focused on making students successful.” To him, being a part of SHSU means “being a member of a university that has deep Texas roots, but also national connections. It means being a part of a community of scholars that teaches students to be innovative and critical thinkers.”
