Get Involved
Honors Student Advisory Council
Honors Student Advisory Council (HSAC) is the organization that represents the students of the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College at Sam Houston State University. Through increased student involvement in leadership, social and educational activities, and service, HSAC aims to promote the importance of a well-rounded college experience. Building relationships and having fun through being an active member of the community is as much a part of college life as academics, study, and research. HSAC organizes extracurricular events and service projects for Honors students. These activities connect Honors students with faculty and strengthen student relationships within the Honors community.
Active Minds
The SHSU Active Minds group is a student-led chapter of the National Active Minds organization. It's primary focus is to facilitate positive conversations about mental health across campus. The group consists of students who recognize the vital role mental health plays in academic success and overall well-being.
The organization works to increase awareness of issues related to mental health, including environmental factors that contribute to mental health disorders, symptoms associated with these disorders, and available mental health resources both on campus and within the surrounding community.
A key objective of SHSU Active Minds is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. This is achieved by encouraging open dialogue about mental health and promoting the use of available resources. The group also emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and advocates for techniques that support mental wellness alongside physical health.
Serving as a liaison between the student body and the mental health community, SHSU Active Minds organizes events aimed at raising awareness and reducing stigma. These initiatives include fundraisers, informational presentations, and guest speakers.
Honors Ambassadors
Chosen through an application and interview process, the Ambassadors represent the Honors College and the University at special events throughout the year. Honors Ambassadors often meet with visiting regents, political representatives, or other dignitaries. During special Honors events, the Ambassadors play important roles as hosts and greeters, table leaders, or panel participants. Our 25 Ambassadors represent each college at the university and are the face of the Honors College.
Welcome retreat
The Welcome Retreat is an honors-exclusive retreat hosted by the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College. It is packed with exciting activities, including team building activities, a voluntary talent show, swimming, and a ropes course! Welcome Retreat takes place at the beginning of each semester at the university camp.
Undergraduate research Symposium
In 2008, the Honors College Student Ambassadors began the Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS). The goal was two-fold: to share research with fellow students and to gain experience in preparation for future conferences.
Today, the URS continues to provide a forum where all SHSU undergraduate students can present their research to others in a professional environment while giving students the opportunity to gain expertise in their field and to receive feedback from other scholars and members of the academic community. The URS awards eight $500 scholarships to the two best poster presentations, two best oral presentations, two runner up posters, and two runner up oral presentation.
Study Abroad
Each year, the Honors College coordinates a study abroad or a study away trip that allows students to earn Honors credit while exploring the world. In the past, we’ve offered the following trips:
- Costa Rica
- Hawaii
- Kenya and Ghana
- England
- Mississippi Delta
- Florida
- Zimbabwe
- Mexico
- Alabama
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
