Spotlights and Testimonials

shaylee sunday

Criminal Justice - Philosophy - Sociology

When I changed my degree from Criminal Justice to Interdisciplinary Studies, I thought I was just going to focus on three separate minors and develop a specific skill set in each. However, my first impression has gone far beyond that. One of the foundational courses has encouraged me to think critically about how my minors connect and how I can integrate them into my personal life, career goals, and everyday decision-making. As said before, this way of thinking as reshaped the way I think academically and how I approach problems and ideas. As I continue my journey to law school, I believe this new thought process will continue to serve both as a future lawyer and, hopefully, one day a judge.

ryan wojcik

Communication Studies - General Business - Management

My goal is to work in business development within the oil and gas industry and I believe my degree in integrated studies with disciplines in business, communications, and management has set me on the path to achieving this goal. My time spent in Integrated studies was one of the best experiences I could have asked for. I am very excited to see where life takes me.

Kenzie dodson

General Business - Psychology - Early Childhood Education

My name is Kenzie Dodson, and I serve as the Vice President of the Integrated Studies Club at Sam Houston State University. I am pursuing an Integrated Studies degree with minors in Psychology, Early Childhood Education, and General Business, which together give me a strong understanding of how people think and learn, how to support young children’s development, and how organizations operate behind the scenes. I plan to use this interdisciplinary foundation to create positive learning experiences for children while also managing educational programs with creativity and structure

• Olivia Bell

Communication Studies - Psychology - Entrepreneurship

My career goal is to work in digital media marketing and advertising. I believe all three of my minors apply to this goal, and I’ve already learned so much from my classes that I can use in the future. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities Sam Houston State University has given me.

nia hodge

Marketing - Mass Communication - Photography

As a graduate of Sam Houston State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, I’m proud to say my experience as a Bearkat shaped both my career path and personal growth. I pursued an integrated studies degree with a focus on marketing, mass communication, and photography—intentionally crafting a program around the things I was most passionate about. That flexibility allowed me to build a strong, interdisciplinary foundation that directly connects to the work I do now.

Currently, I serve as a Social Media Content Specialist for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where I apply everything I learned through my degree—writing content for various stakeholders, using marketing strategies to develop platform-specific messaging, and leveraging my photography background to produce clean, professional visuals for the agency. In addition to my full-time role, I also own and operate my own photography business, WNH Photography, which allows me to continue exploring my creativity, tell powerful visual stories, and serve clients across Texas.

During my time at SHSU, I was deeply involved in the CHSS community. I served on the CHSS Strategic Priorities Planning Committee and the CHSS Student Advisory Board, which allowed me to advocate for students and work closely with faculty on initiatives that enhanced the student experience. I also founded with Dr. Feu Montse the Integrated Studies Club which was a space created to connect and support students within the program, encouraging collaboration, networking, and creative problem-solving. These experiences not only helped me form lasting relationships but also shaped the way I approach leadership and innovation in my career.

I’m truly thankful to the CHSS faculty and staff for their support and for helping make my academic journey meaningful.

Latanya thompson

Communication Studies - Psychology - General Business

When I applied to Sam Houston, I realized I could choose three minors with this degree. Being the well-rounded person I am, that was right up my alley. I could choose a few minors that I enjoy, and that would help me grow in my current position. I’ve been in corporate America for some time now. I will use the funds from my promotion to help fund my passion for helping young ladies. I am also opening a home for sex-trafficked children between the ages of 12–17. I would also like to open a transition home for the same kids aged 18–21. I will offer help with counseling, college, getting their degree, and basic life skills.

andrea mittal

Health - Business Administration - History

The program challenged me to think critically, integrate disparate concepts, and approach problems with a multifaceted perspective. Crafting my capstone portfolio has been a testament to this growth, showcasing projects that blend my skills in data analysis, empathetic user design, and creative problem-solving to address real-world issues. I'm grateful for the insights from classmates and professors, which have enriched this journey. As I step forward, armed with a toolbox of interdisciplinary skills and a mindset attuned to lifelong learning, I am excited to embark on a career path where I can apply these learnings, particularly in fields championing innovation and social impact.

camille nguyen

Political Science - Sociology - Psychology

I really enjoyed my degree plan, especially since I got to curate my classes based on what I wanted to learn. Part of my passion for international human rights and relations law is due to my love of moral philosophy and sociological theories... My Integrated Studies degree was one of the best four years of my life, and I’m very excited to see how I can apply it to my graduate degree.

Madison pursley

Human Services - Psychology - Early Childhood Education

I hope to become a play therapist or child life specialist for children receiving cancer treatment at Texas Children's Hospital. I aspire to bring peace to children and families living through medical hardships because I, too, lived through medical hardships with my kiddo. Integrating my psychology, human services, and early childhood education minors, I will navigate a path to improve children's hospital experiences through playful, therapeutic, and developmentally appropriate practices. I am thankful for this program, school, and my son's health.”

broderick nixon

Taking the leap of faith to put yourself out into the world can be nerve-wracking. However, Sam Houston State University alumnus Broderick Nixon decided to take the challenges of life by the horns. He achieved this by graduating with a bachelor’s in integrated studies. During undergrad, he started writing his debut book, “Broderick Bear Learns to Ride,” and created a motivational speaking business named Dreams to Actuality LLC. 

Prior to becoming an author, Nixon dreamt of pursuing higher education from a young age and was excited to find a community that aligned with his goals. 

“I wasn’t able to go outside and play with other children due to my disability, so I would watch a lot of TV,” said Nixon, who was born with cerebral palsy. “I would always see college advertisements during commercial breaks and that led me to do research on applying for higher education.” 

During Nixon’s high school years, his peers aspired to be doctors, police officers or firefighters, but he was unsure of what his professional life would entail. He only knew that he wanted to empower children with disabilities.

After attending Lone Star College, he surfed the web and applied to different institutions that would get him out of his comfort zone. 

“When I transferred from Lone Star to Sam Houston, I was terrified," said Nixon. "I knew no one and I’m not the most outgoing person, so it took some time to put myself out there." 

Despite his fears, Nixon made his way to campus, where he met faculty and staff that supported him and helped him determine his career trajectory.  

“Her name was Karen, and she was a financial aid advisor. She taught me a lot during the transition period to Sam Houston,” said Nixon. “She reassured me that she would always be there if I needed someone to talk to.” 

He also found SHSU’s Small Business Development Center (SHSU SBDC). Hosted by the College of Business Administration, the center is a premier business assistance resource program that offers no-cost, one-on-one business advising, industry-specific expertise and other support services for the community. When he was first launching Dreams to Actuality in 2021, Nixon worked with SHSU SBDC to learn where to start. By working with the center, he learned to manage his new business’s bookkeeping, taxes, financial projections and marketing. By continuing to work with SHSU SBDC, he learned how he could become a published author by releasing his first book through Amazon.com.

As his interest in literature grew throughout his academic career, Nixon knew that he could only improve his skills by practicing his weaknesses. He learned many ways to develop his writing as an author and student while navigating through the challenges of having cerebral palsy. Due to his condition, he is only able to use one hand. After a full day of tackling tasks and completing coursework, his hand is exhausted. He noticed how it took him longer to complete certain tasks compared to his classmates and knew he’d have to work even harder to achieve his academic goals.  

“The challenge is attempting to accomplish tasks on my own, even when my body doesn’t always coordinate,” Nixon said. “Being born with cerebral palsy, my mind believes I can do certain things, but my body has limitations. It may take me more time to do tasks, but I keep pushing forward.” 

Nixon recognizes how creating and sharing stories about children with disabilities can build empathy and teach them to understand different perspectives. He wants his readers to learn that people with disabilities are just like them with the same dreams, ambitions and passions. Nixon also wants to inspire others to keep going and pursue their passions even if there are hurdles and accommodation is not provided when needed. 

“As someone with cerebral palsy, I know how it feels to be left out and looked at oddly. Even when you feel happy, people still try to feel sorry for you,” said Nixon. “Having a disability can be lonely due to feeling that people don’t understand me, but anything is possible as long as you try and that’s why I wanted to pursue my book series and business.” 

While Nixon is looking for a publisher contract, his book is currently selling on amazon and he’s planning to release two more this month. 

In the future, he plans to expand his stories from books to the big screen. With this oncoming shift, he’s looking forward to sharing his journey with larger audiences. By doing so, he wants people to learn the nuances of living with a disability, and that no matter your mobility, you can turn your dreams into reality. 

“I have turned almost every dream I ever had into a reality and want people to see the reality of me, because that could potentially give them the motivation to pursue their dreams no matter what,” Nixon said. 

hope smith

Political Science - Psychology - Communication Studies

In conjunction with my Integrated Studies major, I am completing an SHSU Technical and Professional Writing Certificate. The challenge of writing as a career will be finding platforms to share my creative pieces for others to read and experience.

Eilisha Thakare

Psychology - Music - Creative Writing

My name is Eilisha Thakare, and I’m the Treasurer for the Integrated Studies Club. I’m earning a B.S. in Integrated Studies with minors in Music, Psychology, and Creative Writing, which gives me a mix of creative and analytical strengths. That blend helps me bring a flexible, people-focused approach to the business world, especially when it comes to planning, problem solving, and working with others.

elissa rise

Forensic Science - Psychology - Health

Education has always been at the forefront of my priorities, but the path leading to my degree, a bit non-traditional. I changed my major multiple times prior to finding integrated studies which has become the perfect fit for the enthusiastic learner. Integrated studies provided a wealth of knowledge, tools, and expanded my understanding of fusing three different fields of study together. Broader knowledge in Forensic Science, Psychology and Health will help facilitate my ultimate focus in Clinical or Forensic Psychology. Conceptualizing the idea in multiple areas of studies prepares my future for diverse topics of conversation and the potential for research related to the commonalities in all three fields.