The Freshman Leaders Program is an innovative and challenging leadership preparation program, which is offered to select entering freshman that have demonstrated a high level of leadership activity in high school, maintained an outstanding academic record, and display the potential to attain student leadership positions as SHSU. All Candidates for this program must have been accepted for admission to the university and score at least 1030 on the SAT and/or 22 on the ACT by the application deadline. During the weekly sessions, students are presented with an in-depth exposure to the university structure and resources, and they learn how to identify and access resources from across the institution. Participants are strongly encouraged to seek answers to any questions pertaining to the operations and functions of Sam Houston State University and to develop the necessary skills and abilities to perform as effective student leaders within our university community.

The twenty students selected for the Freshman Leadership Program receive a scholarship of $500 each semester during the freshman year. Recipients are required to attend weekly scheduled meetings, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and are expected to actively participate in co-curricular activities (student government, student organizations, residence life programs, etc.). This range of involvement allows opportunities for leadership to be exercised and shared with fellow students, and also enables students to assess and evaluate their own leadership skills and abilities. During the course of the training sessions, we provide students with a rich series of learning opportunities designed to test, refine, and further develop their respective leadership interests and abilities.

For more information, please go to the Freshman Leaders Program website.

Alpha Lambda Delta was founded at the University of Illinois in 1924 specifically to honor excellent academic achievement by students in their first year of study in higher education. The constitution states its purpose as follows: "...to encourage superior academic achievement...to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society." In addition to the initial recognition described, the Society has numerous programs to encourage continued superior classroom performance, such as awards, national workshops, campus activities and fellowships and loans for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study.

Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during students first year in college. The Sam Houston Chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta was founded on November 13, 1970. The purpose of this organization is to encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and continued high standard of learning, and to assist women and men in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.

For more information, please go to the SHSU Alpha Lambda Delta website.