2026 Distinguished Professors Recognized

2026 Distinguished Professors Recognized

Three Sam Houston State University faculty members have been named distinguished professors for their extended periods of exemplary service to the university community through the form of teaching, research, service or a combination of the three this year. They are Madhusudan Choudhary, Craig Henderson and Hiranya Nath.

Madhusudan Choudhary, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Since joining Sam Houston State in 2008, Choudhary has shown a deep commitment to advancing SHSU’s mission through excellence in teaching, impactful research and dedicated service. With a student-centered and evidence-based teaching philosophy, Choudhary incorporates lectures, case studies, community engagement and AI-augmented learning into his courses. Additionally, he has mentored students through independent research projects, master’s advisory committees and as an external examiner for doctoral dissertations.

Choudhary has led multiple collaborative research projects that have resulted in more than 60 publications through research, reviews and book chapters. He has received several honors for his contributions, including the Eugene and Millicent Goldschmidt Mentoring Award, among others.

Comments:
“The accomplishments of Choudhary exceed the highest standards of service, teaching, mentorship and scholarship at our university. He has helped exemplify our teacher-scholar model and the research reputation at Sam Houston State University while creating a collaborative and congenial environment that has served our department.”

Craig Henderson, Professor & Director of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, Department of Psychology

Henderson's many accomplishments at SHSU range from high-quality teaching and mentorship to outstanding research and academic advancements.

Henderson’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with his students sets out the foundation for student learning, success and growth beyond the classroom. Through mentorship and guidance, he has successfully chaired the completion of more than 30 doctoral dissertations and 30 master’s theses.

In addition to his role as the director of the clinical psychology doctoral program, Henderson has authored or co-authored more than 100 published articles and chapters and has presented more than 200 papers at professional meetings. He has published in some of the most prestigious journals in the clinical psychology field, including the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and his publications have been cited over 8,500 times.

Comments:
“Beyond these measurable accomplishments, Henderson is an outstanding colleague whose generosity, collegiality and commitment to students and faculty alike enrich our academic community. He frequently goes above and beyond what is required, offering to mentor and support both faculty and students.”

Hiranya Nath, Professor, Department of Economics and International Business

Nath has performed at the highest levels since joining SHSU over two decades ago. Alongside being an innovative educator, he is a supportive mentor. Nath has supported undergraduate student researchers at the Undergraduate Research Symposium as well as accompanied them to research conferences. These efforts help showcase SHSU students to a broader audience as well as support student success. His students have gone on to graduate school and gained successful positions in their industries thanks to his mentorship.

Nath has made an impact with his own scholarship too. He has written or co-authored 40 referenced journal articles and numerous book chapters, monographs and other manuscripts. His work has been published in some of the top journals in economics and has garnered more than 2,400 citations.

Comments:
“Hiranya not only meets but exceeds the criteria for distinguished professor. He is an exemplary teacher, a nationally and internationally renowned scholar and a model of service to students, his colleagues, his department, his college, his university and his community.”