Department of English

National Book Awards Festival

Welcome to the English Department

English forms the cornerstone of the humanities. In a variety of courses in literature, writing, and the English language, SHSU English students find a source of personal enrichment, and they develop verbal, analytical, and cultural skills readily adaptable to a variety of careers. English students learn to write with grace and precision, to read and analyze texts with accuracy, to conduct research and organize a welter of materials, to speak and listen well-in short, to sharpen their critical thinking and critical inquiry skills. These skills are highly valued by prospective employers. When our graduates leave SHSU with a degree in English, they are prepared for career opportunities or advanced study in technical and professional communication, teaching, journalism, government service, editing, law, and business.

  • Dr. Halmari, Excellence in Scholarly & Creative Accomplishments Award; Dr. Strubberg, David Payne Award for Academic Community Engagement; Dr. Tayebi, Excellence in Teaching Award
    English 2023 Excellence Award Winners
    Three english faculty members were presented with Excellence Awards from Sam Houston State University on August 22, 2023. Pictured: left, Dr. Helena Halmari, Excellence in Scholarly & Creative Accomplishments; middle, Dr. Brandon Strubberg, David Payne Award for Academic Community Engagement; right, Dr. Kandi Tayebi, Excellence in Teaching Award.
  • Two students smiling and tinkering with legos; Two students smiling and using IRIS computer lab; Student in IRIS lab working with printer; Welcome to World Usability Day with SHSU Tech Comm poster
    November 2022, SHSU Tech Comm held an event for World Usability Day. Over 40 students attended to learn more about usability, including two recent usability tests conducted at SHSU. Professor Brandon Strubberg discussed his recent eye-tracking study on heads-up displays, and SHSU Honors student Kiara Williams presented her honors thesis work on sound and the reading experience. Students enjoyed snacks and refreshments and then engaged in micro-usability tests in the Iris Technical-Communication Suite with faculty. Thanks to everyone for making this event a success!
  • Dr. Strubberg - Lt. Croft GIS HPD
    Dr. Strubberg’s Intro to Technical Writing - ENG 3330 in collaboration with Lt. Croft of the GIS unit at HPD work on the unit’s operations and marketing materials for presentations, brochures, and flyers. Featured in Today@Sam’s article here: https://www.shsu.edu/today@sam/T@S/article/2020/policepartnership
  • MFA in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing Thesis Exhibition 2023; 4/4/2023; Featuring Megan McKinley (Left), Adam Norris (Middle), and William Whitmire (Right)
    On 4/4/2023 the Master of Fine Arts Program hosted their MFA in Creative Writing, Editing, and Publishing Thesis Exhibition 2023 featuring Megan McKinley (Left), Adam Norris (Middle), and William Whitmire (Right).
  • President White visits Iris Technical Communication Suite
    Left Picture: President White, Dr. Blackburne, and Dr. Strubberg discussing prior and present research projects. Right Picture: President White engaging with Marnie Hageman, an English Master's student, about her position as the Managing Editor of The Measure: A Journal of Undergraduate Research.
  • Collage Top right: Brittany Johnson, Deanna Briones. Middle left: Jerin Milam, Deanna Briones. Middle Right: Dr Halmari speaking. Bottom left: Attendee asking questions. Bottom right: Attendee presenting.
    On March 30 through April 1, the Department of English & College of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted the North American Society for the Study of Romanticism Conference in Huntsville, Texas.
  • Two students smiling and holding programs at conference.
    NASSR Conference
    English Department students Ruby Rodriguez (left) and Madisyn Beilowitz (right) working as Conference Ushers at the 2023 North American Society for the Study of Romanticism (NASSR) Conference. Picture by: NKA Photography