Spotlights and Testimonials

lakyndra bridges

My experience at SHSU has been unforgettable, truly something I’ll cherish for years to come. It has not only shaped the type of scholar and writer I am becoming, but it has also shown me that my future may stretch far beyond what I once imagined for myself.

What originally brought me to SHSU were the obvious things: the cost of tuition, the location, and the curriculum within the Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing master’s program. What I didn't expect, however, was that the experiences and opportunities offered here would shape my future forever. For prospective students, I always recommend researching what opportunities your program provides—scholarships, partnerships, and connections with outside organizations.

For example, I knew before applying for the MFA at SHSU that the MFA partners with the National Book Foundation. I intentionally prepared my CV to be a strong candidate for the internship in my first year at Sam, rather than waiting for the best time to do so. Still, I was honored to receive that opportunity in Summer 2025. I also joined clubs and organizations for the same reason: access, community, and growth. This summer, through the help of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, I was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern at the number one publishing house in the world, Penguin Random House. I know that being involved, asking for guidance, and showing up made opportunities like this possible.

One of my biggest challenges has been managing my time and learning when to say no. By time management, I don’t just mean avoiding procrastination. I mean, juggling school, friendships, and being a wife. There were moments when I should have said no to certain events so I could spend more time with my loving husband, and moments when I should have protected my mental health first during special events and conferences. But I’ve learned the value of transparency and honesty. I’ve learned to communicate my limits, ask for help, and admit when I’m overwhelmed. I encourage every student to do the same. I guarantee that nothing is worth losing your peace.

A primary key to my success, and one of the most significant pieces of advice I can share, is to seek mentorship and build rapport with your professors. Mentorship has been essential to my academic and professional life. I have a mentor outside SHSU who guided me long before I applied. He told me about the program—he even encouraged me to consider other schools—but ultimately said the opportunities here were unmatched. I applied, was admitted with a fellowship–something I did not think I'd get but am so grateful for still, and everything else fell into place.

Some of the best advice he gave me, which I now share with others, is this: find a mentor who is different from you, older than you, and has done the things you want to do. If you’re a young African American woman, consider finding a mentor who is an older white man—and vice versa. Not because you can’t learn from those who share your identity, but because you can exchange perspectives, insight, and wisdom that neither of you would have encountered otherwise, and sometimes be granted opportunities you wouldn’t have achieved otherwise. That reciprocal learning has changed my life.

Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of building relationships with your professors, supervisors, and bosses. I want to extend a tremendous thank-you to TRP: The University Press of SHSU—specifically, Charlie Tobin, the administrative coordinator, and Dr. Fuller, the program director.

Charlie, thank you for your patience, encouragement, and guidance in all things academia, publishing, and life. You always make time for us GAs, and we are truly grateful.

Dr. Fuller, thank you for believing in me and teaching me, well, everything I know. Your expertise and mentorship have strengthened my confidence and my skills, and it has been an honor to work alongside you since Fall 2024. I won’t forget what you’ve poured into me, even when I surpass the stars.

Whether you’re a prospective student considering SHSU or a current Bearkat—undergraduate or graduate—know this: you are destined for more than you think. You may need more support, guidance, or put in more hard work than you expected, but all of that is within reach. You can build the community you need. You can ask for the help you deserve. Someone is always willing to help you. You can create the future you want; it just takes more of you.

So, go do it.

britt bustos

My experience at Sam Houston has been one of extreme challenges but tremendous growth and learning. I first came to SHSU after graduating high school with the intent of becoming a librarian, and I had been accepted to start my English degree in the Fall 2019 semester. I had many relatives and teachers who had gone to Sam and told me often about how beautiful the campus was, how friendly the environment was and how encouraged they all felt towards their respective degrees and fields.

My first semester started off great; I got to move in two weeks early since I was a part of the Bearkat Marching Band, and I fulfilled the freshman duty of the 8am MWF intro to something class. I passed the first semester easily, making casual friends and trucking the hike to the dining hall two times a day to keep myself fueled. I started working as a writing tutor at the Academic Success Center in January of 2020, and started making some really close friends right before spring break of 2020 came, right along with Covid. After getting my early move-out refund, this now being the second time moving out of a dorm not even in one full academic year, I moved back home with my family during the height of the pandemic, and measly passed my now online shell-shocked classes who were simply trying to get by by the end.

After returning to campus and moving into my first apartment in the Fall 2020 semester, I took my first creative writing class at SHSU, an intro fiction class taught by Dr. J Bruce Fuller, a former faculty member who now is the director of the Texas Review Press, the university press that runs out of the English department. In that class, I read what is now my favorite short story and the spark that started my diverging future path from librarianship to creative writing and teaching. After successfully completing my Fall semester, I came home for the holiday break and spent about one week getting ready to celebrate Christmas, and then my dad got diagnosed with Covid-19. He passed away on New Years Eve of 2020. This was the hardest time of my life by far, but thankfully my teachers, friends, and support from SHSU made it possible to where I got to stay home for the first two months of the semester (thank you online class options and Zoom) to help take care of my family, and was able to return to my studies and job fully in Huntsville by March of 2021. Throughout the rest of my undergraduate studies, I was privileged to be able to dive into my creative writing and editing interests, from taking classes with amazing English teachers, scholars, and writers like Dr. Paul Child, Prof. Nick Lantz, Dr. Helena Halmari, Dr. Ginger Ko, and Dr. Katie Jean Shinkle, among classes for my music minor while continuing to grow in my editing abilities through my time as a writing tutor.

By the time I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Spring of 2022, I had been the editor-in-chief of the undergraduate literary and arts journal Beacon, a senior writing tutor at the ASC, and started my own private guitar-teaching studio, where I had up to 10 consecutive students at one point. I crossed my fingers in hopes of getting into the elusive MFA program here, where I was interested in delving into my initial sparks of interest around the intersection of poetry and music, and was accepted with a full-ride fellowship to begin the MFA in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing during the Fall 2022 semester. I transferred from an undergraduate student to teaching myself; first in the INRW program, and then a few semesters later I started being able to teach Composition I and II. I fell in love with teaching along with writing and started being able to guest lecture and TA for some intro level poetry and creative writing classes, even doing guest lectures for some graduate level courses. Alongside my growth in creative writing and teaching were my editing publishing skills; I spent a mix of my first three years in the MFA program with a mix of roles both at the Texas Review Press, The Texas Review Journal, and even being the graduate advisor of the Beacon journal I once was lead editor for. My jobs ranged from editorial to administrative, programming to marketing, and acquisitions to printing, with now my highest role as the Associate Editor for the Texas Review journal where I get to regularly communicate with esteemed writers and authors, network with private, public, and university publishers, and even table and organize events at national and international events such as AWP and the Texas Book Festival.

After taking some literary classes that piqued my interest and being persuaded by my friend in my cohort, I added the dual-degree MA in English alongside my MFA in the Spring 2024 semester, so now I will graduate with TWO masters degrees!! In addition to the amazing MFA faculty, I now had amazing scholars and professors who have guided me towards academic excellence and scholarship like Dr. Robyn Johnson, Dr. Kandi Tayebi, Dr. La-Toya Scott, Dr. Diane Dowdey, and Dr. Jacob Blevins to name a few. I have also been privileged to give back to the English community both here at Sam and internationally through my service with Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honor society, and worked my way up to the role of President, where I now get to serve alongside internationally recognized scholars to engage in academic excellence and community. Just recently, our local SigTau chapter was able to host the Southwestern Regional Conference for Sigma Tau Delta, where over 50+ scholars, writers, and academics were able to gather here on the Sam Houston campus and online to be in writing community.

As I come up on my graduation this Fall 2025 semester, I’m applying for as many jobs as I qualify for, as well as throwing my hat in the ring for a few PhD in English programs here in Texas. If I were to go back to my freshman self, someone who was eager to make a worthwhile experience here at Sam, I would encourage them to lean into what they love, keep chasing the drive that leads them to their studies, academics, and work inspired by passion, intrigue, or curiosity. I would encourage them to go to the event where you only know one person, go to the extra-credit programs and cheesy student events to help integrate into this community of service-hearted fellow students, professors and staff who help make this campus what its been for me for the last 7 years. Walk around campus (your calves will increase 2x in size), eat at the local restaurants (Humps!! China House!! Potato Shack!!!), nurture your mind in the gardens and stone pits, go to all the events you can when you’re not working or scrambling to finish the essay you forgot was due at midnight. Don’t be afraid to be involved. Don’t be nervous asking questions in class or go to your professors office hours (they are required to be there anyway and would absolutely LOVE the company.) Don’t be intimidated by the success of others, and keep taking every opportunity even if it feels like you’re underqualified or someone else deserves it more. Believe in your studies, your service, and yourself.

kim davis

Kim earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration of Arts & Entertainment Media Management from Columbia College in Chicago in 1985. However, because she left the country immediately after college and did not return until 1997, Kim did not learn until 2011 that she had an actual conferred degree. In the interim, Kim worked minimum wage positions in sound engineering. Between her commute and paying for a babysitter for her children, Kim was spending her salary just to make it.

In 1997, Kim began teaching herself web design, Photoshop, and InDesign. In 2001, Kim’s freelance work became her company when she founded Sublime Design Studio. Kim began her business by doing volunteer work with Madison County Arts Council, Keep Madison County Beautiful, Madison County Community Theatre, Madison County Community Chorus, Texas Mushroom Festival and the City of Madisonville. Since its founding, Sublime Design Studio has expanded to offer graphic design and book-layout services in addition to web design services.

After learning that she had been awarded a bachelor’s degree years earlier, Kim began considering the possibility of beginning a graduate program. Kim believes that her strengths lay somewhere between the technical and the creative and wanted to find a graduate program that would cater to that combination. After an interview with Dr. Scott Kaukonen, MFA Program Director, in fall 2011, Kim decided to begin her study at Sam Houston in the spring of 2012. When Kim entered the program, she was considering pursuing an MA with a Creative Writing emphasis. With the advice of Dr. Paul Child, Director of Graduate Studies in English, Kim began by taking classes in the English core.

When the MFA program formally launched in fall 2012, however, Kim officially began work under the new degree plan. Kim started from scratch with her knowledge of literature because as an undergraduate student she did not take any English courses. Her lack of a literary background did not hinder her success in the program, however. Kim maintained a 4.0GPA throughout her graduate career. As a Graduate Assistant, Kim had the opportunity to work as an editorial intern at the Texas Review Press and to teach freshman Composition.

While working on her degree, Kim has slowed down on new clients with Sublime Design; recently Kim has been taking as few as 2-3 new clients per year. Currently, Kim manages between 30-35 websites. Now that she has finished the program, Kim, who wants to get back on track with living healthily, has been riding her bicycle 10-15 miles every day.

This fall semester, Kim is teaching freshman composition and serving as the Assistant Director of the Texas Review Press. Moving forward, Kim hopes to have some of her writing projects published in respected academic journals within the next year or so. While Kim is willing to teach composition for a short time she ultimately hopes to secure a creative writing and/or publishing teaching position.

tia hambrick

Serving in the military is one of the most selfless acts one can make. It requires a level of mental and physical toughness that not many of us are used to. Airmen put their life on the line to defend our country and are trained to be alert, as situations can change in an instant. Being stationed away from home in a completely different country is nerve-racking to say the least. Similarly, being a college student is also a challenging role for someone to take on, as classes are rigorous and days are long. Often, a student will have to stay up doing endless amounts of coursework, just to make the grade. Moving away from home and staying in a dorm requires a bit of adjusting as well. Both roles, while challenging in and of themselves, are not usually two that a person would sign up to do simultaneously. However, Tia Hambrick is an exception to this, as she has taken on the roles as both soldier and student and is succeeding.

Growing up, Hambrick witnessed her father’s commitment to his country, as he served in the Navy. Although she was born in New Jersey, Hambrick and her family relocated to Texas when she was 10 and has lived here since. Hambrick said she always knew she would serve her country in some capacity, and when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to take on a new role. “Enlisting in the Air Force in 2012, I began what has been an interesting and rewarding career,” Hambrick said. “I wanted to experience the camaraderie of military life, and I wanted to do so alongside the other men and women who defend this country each day.”

While Hambrick pursued a life in the service, she said she simultaneously attended school online and earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts in English from Lamar University. “I love everything about the English language, how words can take on multiple meanings and how we can convey a thought, expression or idea,” Hambrick said. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Hambrick sought to reach new heights and applied to the Master of Arts in Technical Communication program at Sam Houston. “I chose to enroll in the program because I wanted to sharpen my writing skills,” Hambrick said. “I scoured the internet looking for the program that would fit into my lifestyle. The program I selected would have to be completely online, and the university needed to be military friendly. SHSU has exceeded my expectations.”

Finding an equal balance between school and work can be quite stressful. Hambrick said she’s currently deployed in Kuwait, which has made the process even more difficult. “I’m still trying to perfect my time management skills,” Hambrick said. “While I don’t always get it right, I’m committed to the process. What I have learned thus far is that I’ve always got time for things that I put first.” Completing homework and attending Zoom meetings from another country goes far beyond what the average student experiences. Nonetheless, Hambrick’s dedication is seen by family, friends and professors alike.

Dr. Carroll Nardone, Professor of Technical Communication in the English Department at SHSU said Hambrick’s commitment to her education is well above what she expected of a student in her position. “She stands out as somebody who finds a way to get things done, no matter what’s thrown at her,” Nardone said. “She has all kinds of reasons to say I can’t, and yet I never heard that from her.” Nardone said Hambrick met deadlines and never asked for extensions on projects or assignments. “As a working graduate student, she could’ve dipped in and out as she needed to, just to keep her head above water,” Nardone said. “She would’ve had every right to do that, but she was involved in the classes. She didn’t just do the minimum.”  

Although Hambrick has found herself in a unique predicament, she has learned to discipline herself and has proved to herself that she can do anything she sets her mind to. “Being deployed while going to school is not for the faint of heart,” Hambrick said. “Being in the Middle East there is a nine hour time difference… the internet service is intermittent, so I’ve had to come up with a backup plan.” Despite whatever difficulties arise, Hambrick has adjusted well to military life and said she remains devoted to the roles she’s taken on, as a student and airman. “The fact that I am on a military base in a foreign country, where the threat level could increase at a moment’s notice is something that I have just come to accept and live with,” Hambrick said. “Sometimes my military life and my civilian life collide, and I find myself somewhere in the middle, but I’ve enjoyed the journey thus far.”