S.W.A.T.T. started out on January 24th and will end with R.I.D.D. (Reducing Irresponsible Drinking and Drugs) Week February 25th - 29th. These two programs, sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative, are full of fun and educational awareness training sessions to help students learn the dangers and misconceptions about drugs and alcohol. S.W.A.T.T. also offers students who participate the chance to win great prizes that get better with the number of training sessions you attend. Students do not have to attend the first session to participate and are encouraged to attend sessions that interest them.

For more information contact Rosanne Keathley at 936.294.1171 or view the S.W.A.T.T. 2008 schedule.

Jessica Payne

1. How long have you been at SHSU?
I have been at SHSU since 1998.

2. Where did you go to college?
Concordia University and SHSU, Bachelor of Arts (Kinesiology/English), Masters of Arts (Kinesiology), Ed.D. (Educational Leadership - All but dissertation).

3. A little bit about yourself?
I care about each and every one of my students. I love animals, I love sports, and I enjoy being engaged in charitable organizations. I often run 5Ks to raise money and awareness for breast cancer and AIDS.

4. What helped you get through your first year of college?
Being involved in campus life, I played volleyball and basketball on an athletic scholarship.

5. How did high school differ from college for you, and how do you perceive it differs for students now?
I wasn't the star anymore, I felt like a rookie all over again!

I think students have been programmed to respond to learning in a very different way in high school, and when they transition to the university they feel very lost.

6. How do you think SAM 136 benefits first-year students?
SAM 136 allows students the opportunity to honestly reflect on their experiences as a freshman; the class also offers strategies for success. Students enrolled in SAM 136 are provided many opportunities to become actively engaged in the learning process. The benefits are limitless.

7. Do you have any general advice or words of wisdom for first-year students?
Prioritize! Put academics first, but set aside time for extracurricular activities. Get involved in campus activities, be engaged in classroom discussions, be a leader, take initiative, and become an active member in our SHSU community.

Karen McIntush

1. How long have you been at SHSU?
I began teaching SAM 136 in the Fall of 2006.

2. Where did you go to college?
Texas A&M - Bachelor's degree in Political Science and teaching certificate to teach secondary Social Studies.
SHSU - Master's degree in 2004 in Educational Leadership.

3. A little bit about yourself?
I am a native Texan, but spent 7 1/2 years living out-of-state (Missouri and Colorado). I enjoy reading, gardening, and spending time with my two daughters and husband. I also serve on the board of trustees at my daughters' school.

4. What helped you get through your first year of college?
I came from a family of non-college graduates and saw the struggles that resulted. This encouraged me to perservere; it was tough at first, but I set a goal to graduate and do something productive with my life.

5. How did high school differ from college for you, and how do you perceive it differs for students now?
I had to study MUCH more as well as actually read my textbooks. High school in general did not require that much effort.

I believe it is very similar for students now. However, students today seem to struggle more with time management than I recall when I was in school.

6. How do you think SAM 136 benefits first-year students?
SAM 136 helps provide first-year students with a strong footing to college life. If they implement what they learn from this class, there is no doubt they will be successful.

7. Do you have any general advice or words of wisdom for first-year students?
Don't take this opportunity for granted. College is a privilege. Develop relationships with your professors and exhibit responsible, productive behavior.

Beth Charrier, Psy. D.

1. How long have you been at SHSU?
4 years

2. Where did you go to college?
University of Colorado- Boulder- BA - Psychology
Wheaton College- MA and Psy.D. - Clinical Psychology

3. A little bit about yourself?
I am from Colorado. I enjoy outdoor stuff (hiking, rafting, etc.) and reading. I am part of 2 book clubs and a Bunko group. I am married with a young son.

4. What helped you get through your first year of college?
I was part of a small residential honors program that insured I had a network and one small (8 person) class per semester. I also lived with my best friend.

5. How did high school differ from college for you, and how do you perceive it differs for students now?
College had fewer guideposts as to where or how to aquire information. College was also more anonymous. In college I also had more responsibility (job and organizational commitments).

For students now, college is A LOT less structured. I think the expectations are much higher, causing a lot of confusion for students when they fail.

6. How do you think SAM 136 benefits first-year students?
I expect, at least, it is a resource for where to find information. I also expect it requires students to review the process of college rather than just plug along.

7. Do you have any general advice or words of wisdom for first-year students?
I would tell first-year students to be very dutiful about keeping up with syllabi, assignments, etc. rather than expecting reminders. I would also tell them to titrate use of their freedoms until they have a better sense of themselves and their responsibilities.

Dannell Price

1. How long have you been at SHSU?
I attended school here for seven years and have taught the SAM 136 course for two years.

2. Where did you go to college?
I attended Sam Houston State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Master of Science degree in Agriculture.

3. A little bit about yourself?
I grew up in Cypress, Texas and moved to Huntsville to attend SHSU.  I married a sweet hometown boy named Mike Price and have lived in Huntsville for 12 years now.  After pursuing my education in Agriculture at SHSU, I then taught Agricultural Sciences at Huntsville High School for four years.  I am now an Education Specialist at The Education Service Center, Region VI and have been there for two and a half years.

4. What helped you get through your first year of college?
I am very close with my parents, and I would get home sick all the time. Joining clubs and organizations on campus such as the Student Government Association helped me to get involved and form the friendships that I needed while being away from home.  I also joined study groups with other people that I met in my classes, and these study groups helped me survive my first year of college.

5. How did high school differ from college for you, and how do you perceive it differs for students now?
In high school everything was mapped out for a student.  We were given study guides, several excused absences, a second chance to turn in late work, and a good ol’ pat on the back when we did something good.  We even hung out with the same group of friends everyday.  In college, we have to step out of our comfort zone and make new friends.  We are also forced to learn responsibility and independence.  Just the responsibility of waking yourself up early in the morning and going to class can be a challenge.  In high school I felt guided when making decisions.  In college, I had to grow up, make my own decisions, and hope they were the right ones all in the same day!!  College was a choice for me and one of the best decisions I have ever made!

I feel students today face many of the differences that I faced as well.  However, in addition, students these days have been programmed just to “show up” and they will get credit.  This applies to school, extracurricular activities, fundraisers, and even community service.  As students attend these same activities and functions in college, they struggle with meeting new people.  They do not know how to function well in these environments.  The student has the desire to help and get involved, but they have been trained to just “show up” for so long now that I feel this is the big challenge for them.  They were more accountable for attendance in high school rather than the quality of participation once they got to a function.

6. How do you think SAM 136/Freshman Learning Communities benefit first-year students?
I feel it creates an environment for students to feel accepted, helps them to break out of their comfort zone, they develop new friendships, and it helps them to feel safe while away from home.  The Sam 136 and FLCs give each student the solid foundation they need to survive college.

7. Do you have any general advice or words of wisdom for first-year students?
It is so important for new students to feel comfortable and welcomed in a new learning environment.  My advice would be to get involved on campus.  Join a club or organization that will help you meet new friends that share your same interests.  Start accomplishing goals “NOW” that you can put on your resume.  The workforce is very competitive and you want to be the most marketable person you can be.  Last, but not least, there is TIME for everything!!  Learn to BALANCE your time between school, work, campus involvement, and fun.  Most of all – enjoy college!!

Mon, Wed, Thur: 8am - 7pm
Tues: 8am - 10pm
Fri: 8am - 3pm
936.294.3680
Farrington 111

Mon-Thur:8am - 7pm
Fri:8am - 3pm
Sun:2pm - 7pm
936.294.3114
Farrington 109

Check out these websites for important dates and fun events!

SAM Center Study Skills Series