SHSU Centers & Institutes
SHSU Centers and Institutes are collaborative research and engagement units that support interdisciplinary scholarship, sponsored projects, and partnerships beyond the classroom. They serve as engines for innovation, bringing together faculty, students, and external stakeholders to advance research, education, and service initiatives with local, regional, and national impact.
Research
Advance interdisciplinary research and innovation by bringing together faculty, students, and partners to address complex questions and pursue external funding.
The Center for Assessment, Research, and Educational Safety (C.A.R.E.S.) is committed to enhancing the safety and well-being of educational communities, from primary schools to higher education, through innovative research in threat assessment, behavioral health, and safety practices. By combining research with proactive training, we empower educators and stakeholders to foster supportive environments where every individual can thrive. Our holistic approach emphasizes both physical security and mental well-being, focusing on prevention and response to all types of crisis events that threaten educational experiences, outcomes, and environments.
Home Unit: College of EDUCATION
Director: MATTHEW FULLER
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The Center for Research Excellence and Innovation started in the College of Education (COE) in 2022. The Center has since expanded to include a formal partnership with the College of Health Sciences (COHS). The mission of the Research Center aligns with Sam Houston State University’s call for academic excellence and enhanced reputation and visibility. Specifically, the Center aims to better equip faculty, staff, and students with the skills and knowledge to engage with research, collect and make meaning of data, conduct and disseminate quality and ethical research, and to develop competitive grant proposals for both internal and external research support
Home Unit: College of EDUCATION
Director: MARIBETH JORGENSEN
TRACEY HODGES - ASSISTANT DIRector
PRAPHUL JOSHI - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
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The Gibson D. Lewis Center for Business and Economic Development promotes economic growth and data-driven economic decision-making through education, research, and outreach. We aim to be a hub for innovation, research, and data analysis that leverages our university resources to support sustainable economic development in our region, the state of Texas, and beyond.
Home Unit: College of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Director: CHRISTIAN RASCHKE
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The Center Advancing Neuro-Design for Learning Environments (CANDLE) is a high-impact, self-sustaining administrative unit that creates a synergistic new era of the impact of environments, design, and space on teaching, learning, and outcomes. CANDLE synchronizes and complements the College’s existing expertise across centers in School Safety, Research, Special Populations, and Trauma-Informed Practice.
Home Unit: COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Director: STACEY VICTOR
The Strategic Education and Research Vision for Excellence (SERVE) Center will serve as a statewide hub for high-quality, accessible professional development for Texas educators. Housed in the College of Education, the SERVE Center will leverage SHSU faculty expertise to deliver low-cost micro-credentials and targeted professional development aligned with TEA standards and emerging state priorities.
Home Unit: COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Director: ABBIE STRUNC
Research & Outreach
Research Centers and Institutes with a Community Outreach / Service component.
The Center for the Study of Disasters & Emergency Management (CDEM) serves as an interdisciplinary anchor for scholars at Sam Houston State University working on
issues related to disasters, emergency management, and community resilience. CDEM creates a structural identity to facilitate external grant acquisition, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy-relevant research.
Home Unit: DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, College of HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Director: JASON ENIA
The Center for Multi-Cultural Rural Development (CMRD) at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), housed in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), focuses on advancing knowledge regarding the social, demographic, economic, political, and cultural aspects of rural life in Texas and beyond, offering internships for students.
Home Unit: College of HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Director: LEIF FRENCH
MARIA BARKER - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
The Center of Innovation, Technology, & Entrepreneurship (CITE) at Sam Houston State University helps customers and partners access world-class business technology, resources, and processes through research, consulting, training, and teaching. By investigating, evaluating, and developing technologies, systems, and processes, we can assist in developing robust solutions to current business problems.
Home Unit: College of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Director: PAMELA ZELBST
CHARLES MIZE - assistant director
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The Texas Invasive Species Institute (T.I.S.I.) is the first comprehensive effort in Texas that is focused on research and coordinating the effective early detection and rapid response to multiple new invasive species that currently impact, or have the potential to impact, ecosystems and produce major economic effects
Home Unit: ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Director: AUTUMN SMITH-HERRON
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Research & Training
Research Centers and Institutes with an educational or professional training component
The Institute for Forensic Research, Training, and Innovation (IFRTI)'s principal goal is to promote interdisciplinary forensic research and encourage academic-industrial partnerships and training that serve the needs of the forensic community and its stakeholders.
Home Unit: College of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Director: SARAH KERRIGAN
BRITNI SKILLMAN - CO-DIRECTOR
RANDY GARNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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The Cyber Forensics Intelligence Center (CFIC) brings together leading industry participants, practitioners, and faculty members from a variety of disciplines to research cyber forensic and digital security topics that are of interest to governmental, commercial and legal communities.
Home Unit: DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, College of SCIENCE & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Director: ROB GREENBERG
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The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility serves as a nationally recognized human decomposition research and training center under the SHSU College of Criminal Justice. It functions as a living laboratory, integrating research, applied education, and professional service for students, faculty, and external agencies.
Home Unit: College of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Director: SHEREE HUGHES
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Research, Outreach & Training
Research Centers and Institutes with a community outreach and service, and educational or professional development component.
The Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) has announced the creation of a new Medical Artificial Intelligence Institute, an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing the integration of ethical, innovative and patient-centered artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education, research and clinical practice.
Home Unit: College of OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Director: VINOTH SITTARAMANE
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Educational & Professional Training
Provide specialized training, professional development, and workforce preparation through hands-on learning, certifications, and applied research experiences.
The Center for Music Education supports practicing teachers and graduate study by connecting educators, performers, and scholars. The Center provides professional development sessions, extended summer workshops, school presentations, and mentoring for young teachers. It also offers consulting for organizations and publishes Praxis, a biannual online journal for music educators.
Home Unit: School of Music, College of Arts & Media
Director: BRIAN GIBBS
Darla McBryde - associate director
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In 1994, the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) was created and became responsible for all professional development programs unrelated to law enforcement, and Dan Richard Beto was named the Institute’s founding Director. The Correctional Management Institute of Texas is charged with developing and delivering professional education, management development, and issue-specific training programs for personnel in juvenile and adult community and institutional corrections agencies.
Home Unit: College of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Director: CHRISTIE HANEY
RANDY GARNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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For three decades, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) has been a cornerstone of advanced education, professional development, research, and services for the law enforcement community. Established by the Texas Legislature in 1989, LEMIT has grown into one of the largest and most sophisticated statewide training programs for law enforcement leadership in the nation. Its initiatives are nationally recognized for equipping current and future leaders with the skills necessary to meet the complex demands of 21st-century policing.
Home Unit: College of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Director: JOHN RAY
RANDY GARNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Training & Research
Educational or Professional Training Centers and Institutes with a Research component.
The Institute for Homeland Security (IHS) at Sam Houston State University is dedicated to protecting critical infrastructure and supporting commerce through innovative research, education, and strategic partnerships. Our mission is to deliver actionable, value-added knowledge tailored to the needs of both industry and government.
Home Unit: College of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Director: MICHAEL ASPLAND
RANDY GARNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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The mission of the Crime Victims' Institute is to:
- Conduct research to examine the impact of crime on victims of all ages in order to promote a better understanding of victimization
- Improve services to victims
- Assist victims of crime by giving them a voice
- Inform victim-related policy-making at the state and local levels.
Home Unit: College of CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Director: MARY BREAUX
RANDY GARNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRector
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Community Outreach/Service
Connect SHSU expertise with community, industry, and public partners to address real-world needs through engagement, service, and applied solutions.
The Eleanor and Charles Garrett Center on Transition and Disability Studies advances opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities through education, training, applied research, and collaboration, strengthening pathways to learning, employment, and community participation across the lifespan.
Home Unit: College of EDUCATION
Director: CHRISTINA GUSHANAS
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The SHSU Small Business Development Center empowers entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow, and thrive through expert advising, training, and resource access, while strengthening the region’s economic vitality.
Home Unit: College of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Director: RHONDA ELLISOR
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The Center for Early Music Research and Performance explores how historical performance practices—such as ornamentation, style, and improvisation—inform today’s music. Students and faculty engage in research, teaching, and performance using the Center’s collection of early keyboard instruments, including harpsichords, a Viennese fortepiano, and a 17th-century style organo di legno. Undergraduate and graduate students also have opportunities to apply early music practices in ensemble and solo settings.
Home Unit: SCHOOL OF MUSIC, College of Arts & Media
Director: MARIO ASCHAUER
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The Center for Art Research and Education (CARE) strives to enhance the visual culture of SHSU, Huntsville, Walker County and the surrounding communities. CARE promotes awareness and appreciation of art and design by supporting faculty research, art education, visiting artists, design projects, and opportunities for faculty and student engagement with community.
Home Unit: Department of Art, College of Arts & Media
Director: Michael Henderson
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The Bearkat Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Center provides vital hands-on experience for SHSU students while supporting the community through free, high-quality tax preparation services. The program helps students develop practical skills in accounting, communication, and public service while fostering civic responsibility and financial literacy.
Home Unit: College of Business administration
Director: TONYA BLOCKER
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The TRIES Analytical Laboratory provides quality analytical services and method development to Sam Houston State University's academic community, local communities, and industrial, commercial, and municipal clientele. We are guided in operations by safety, data integrity, laboratory ethics, quality, and service, and we continually strive to build and strengthen collaborative relationships
Home Unit: ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Director: AUTUMN SMITH-HERRON
Outreach & Training
Community Outreach/Service Centers and Institutes with an educational or professional training component
Home Unit: Department of Psychology & Philosophy, College of HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Director: MARY ALICE CONROY
Administrative Student Support
Support student success and holistic development by connecting students with essential resources, services and partnerships that foster academic achievement, personal growth and long-term career readiness.
The Center for Building Business Professionals empowers all students and alumni to discover their strengths, explore career pathways, and achieve meaningful, lifelong professional success. We provide career education through personalized guidance, innovative programs, and experiential learning opportunities such as internships and mentorships. By cultivating strong partnerships with employers and community organizations, we connect individuals with the skills, resources, and networks needed to thrive, lead, and create impact in a rapidly changing world.
Home Unit: College of BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Director: JULIE CAMPBELL
Student Support Services (SSS), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is a TRIO program dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rates for low-income students, first-generation students, students who are or were formerly in the foster care system, and/or students with documented disabilities at SHSU.
Home Unit: College of EDUCATION
Director: KELLY STUCKEY
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The SHSU STEM Center is an innovation hub, fostering collaborative learning, research, and service initiatives that drive long-term success for both faculty and students within the College of Science & Engineering Technology.
Home Unit: College of SCIENCE & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Director: DAVID THOMPSON
ROSS GUIDA - CO-DIRECTOR
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The Steele Center for Educator Preparation Services provides support services for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the SHSU Educator Preparation Program. This includes students seeking degrees that prepare them for Texas certification as classroom teachers, principals, superintendents, educational diagnosticians, reading specialists, school librarians, and school counselors. These services include coordination of field experiences and clinical teaching, authorization and support for TExES certification exams, guidance in meeting the requirements for and recommendations for state certification.
Home Unit: College of EDUCATION
Director: HELEN BERG
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Dissemination
Support the sharing and use of research-based knowledge, tools, and resources with the audiences who can benefit from them most.
Founded in 1979, TRP: The University Press of SHSU (formerly Texas Review Press) is committed to publishing quality poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and scholarship. TRP currently publishes between twenty-four and thirty titles each year.
Housed at Sam Houston State University, TRP: The University Press of SHSU is a member of the Texas A&M Press Texas Book Consortium, the Association of University Presses, and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses.
Home Unit: College of HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Director: J. BRUCE FULLER