Letter from the Editor

Celebrating 10 Years of The Measure and More

The Measure: A Journal of Undergraduate Research is a refereed journal dedicated to publishing undergraduate research from courses in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Sam Houston State University. Students enrolled in a CHSS course during the academic year are eligible to submit their work for publication consideration, whether or not they are majoring in one of the disciplines in the college. The Measure is guided by these central principles: undergraduate research is a vital component of higher education; students enhance their education when they engage in original research to make an intellectual contribution to the discipline; research shared with a broader audience enhances learning outcomes; and faculty members contribute to society when they involve undergraduates in research opportunities.

It is a privilege and honor to join The Measure as assistant editor in June of 2026, alongside the managing editor, Meghan Makthepharack. I joined the team during the home stretch of the revision and design process, and just in a few short weeks of the July deadline, it was immensely rewarding to read such growth in the author’s important and necessary ideas. It must be emphasized that the process students and faculty undergo is by no means simple. It requires time, often outside of typical class and working hours, discipline, and dedication to the important ideas the journal protects. Our standards are high because we believe that students can exceed them. This is no small feat, and authors and their respective faculty sponsors should be immensely proud of their hard work, and proud to contribute to a ten-year legacy within the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

In my short time with The Measure, what I found most interesting is that despite no selected themes for any volume, overarching motifs of their own emerge across disciplines. Volume 10 is no different, reaching toward messages of history, exposure, accountability, and justice. Each piece contributes to understanding our world. Sustaining research, the pursuit of knowledge, and awareness of our past, present, and future, is vital not only to a university, but to a better nation. Sam Houston State University claims the measure of a life is its service; a reminder that we must continue to care for others; we must continue to strive forward for a better nation. The protection of these values is the way forward. The journal and its many contributors are only a small fraction of a greater whole. I look forward to welcoming new and exciting ideas this academic year.

We now look to Volume 11. We are piloting a new process of submissions this year. Instead of receiving submission through chssjournal@shsu.edu email, submissions are moving to the Online Journal System (OJS). Students and participating faculty members who intend to submit will need to create an account with their SHSU credentials in OJS if they have not already. All feedback will be distributed through this platform. Students will still need to fill out an author agreement and faculty will still need to fill out a supporting faculty statement both of which are available on The Measure's website. We hope this change will simplify both our editorial processes, as well as student and faculty revision processes. If you have any questions regarding this change, or run into any issues, please email chssjournal@shsu.edu or Laura McCrary Head of Digital Initiatives at Newton Gresham Library.

Submissions for Fall 2026 are due January 31^st, 2027, and Spring 2027 submissions are due May 14^th, 2027.

As always, we look forward to reading.

Lindsey Rowley
Managing Editor