Graduate Students


	Mona Avalos Living on the edge of expectancy has led me along many exciting avenues. The training I received here at Sam Houston State University, while working on my Bachelor of Science degree from the Biology department, has had a strong hand in the growth of my inspiration to make a difference in our environment and community. I am now enthusiastically pursuing my Masters Degree in the Sociology Department, while working as a teacher and research assistant. My interests vary from environmental justice to international humanitarian work. Currently, I am assisting with research focusing on toxic hazards effects on a community, as well as investigating the public’s willingness to adopt desalination of oilfield brine.

	Yu-Lin Chen I enrolled the Department of Sociology in the spring of 2009. My area of interests is nonprofit organization and especially focuses on medical field and minority group. After receiving my Masters’ Degree I would like to go back to my home country Taiwan and work for nonprofit organization to help people who live in the remote areas to get better medical resources.

	Chuck Collins Sociology and its application became of interest to me as the result of various life experiences. In August 2008, I enrolled in the M.A. program in sociology with an emphasis upon social change and development. Currently, my research interests focus upon GLBTQ campus climate and the social change and conflict that results from the pursuit of human rights. In the future, I plan to pursue my Ph.D. in sociology with a focus upon human rights development, gender and sexuality, heterosexist privilege, and GLBTQ community activism. In addition to being a graduate student, I am employed as a full-time staff member in the Department of Student Activities as a Program Coordinator, advisor for Program Council, and am the chair of HAVEN, a GLTBQ safe zone program..

	Cheryl Hudec I received by BS degree in Sociology in May 2008. I am currently pursuing a MA in Sociology while working as a Teaching Assistant within the department. Additionally, as Symposium Coordinator, I am organizing and promoting the International Symposium of Society and Resource Management which Sam Houston is hosting in Corpus Christi in 2010. I have a deep interest in researching the history and operation of welfare programs. My thesis addresses School Meal Programs administered by the USDA. After receiving my Masters I would like to remain within academia to teach at a community college. I would however like to eventually obtain my Ph.D.

	Eunjin Hwang I am currently pursuing MA in sociology and working as Teaching Assistant. I received BA in education and ME.D in English Education through English Modern Literature in Korea. I have an interest on social issues in Education. Mainly I am working on how gender and social class affects education in the society. After getting a Master degree in Sociology, I would like to study Sociology and Education in the Doctorate program.

	Sameena R. Khan I joined the Department of Sociology in the Fall of 2006, after receiving my Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. My research interests include the globalization of the apparel industry, marriage power relations, and international adoption. I have enjoyed my time working on my MA while gaining valuable teaching experience as a teaching assistant.

	Pete Nunez I received my BS in Criminal Justice here at Sam Houston State University. Having minored in Sociology, I quickly discovered a fascination with the discipline. Knowing that many facets of sociological phenomena can be studied and explored, I decided to pursue a Masters Degree to further my education. Some of my research interests include race and inequality in education, drug use and abuse, and the demographics and exploration of homeless populations. Hopefully I can one day contribute to the academia by publishing major findings in scholarly journals.

	Nikki Miller I am currently working on my MA in Sociology while working as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Sociology. I earned a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Geography from Sam Houston State University. My area of specialization is community and natural resources. I am currently working on a research paper on resource extraction in environmentally sensitive lands. I find particular interest in creating sustainable community structures and organic commodity chains. Someday, I hope to work at a non-profit organization.

	Travis Miller I'm currently pursuing an MA in sociology after having completed a BA in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. My master plan involves becoming so good at grant writing that I can pursue research projects with reckless abandon to build up my curriculum vitae; hopefully this will lead to a PhD in Sociology. The capacity of the human race to subjugate one another for personal gain never ceases to amaze me-- in this vein I find inequality and trade/labor relations to be quite interesting and consider myself to be a student of Ritzer.

	Jade Zimpfer I received my Bachelor of Arts, BA, in Sociology with a minor in History in May 2009 from Sam Houston State University. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Sociology while being employed as a Teaching Assistant for the Department of Sociology. After I have obtained my MA, I will pursue a PhD. in Sociology in hopes of becoming a professor. My areas of interest include: Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Sociology. My Thesis focuses on the relationships between the Celtic and American cultures and how they have not only contributed to each other but how they allow for continual growth within the two cultures.