Staff
M. Brandon Cooper
Director of Student Activities
M.Brandon Cooper, Director for the Department of Student Activities is a native of Huntsville, Texas. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Journalism/Public Relations with minors in Mass Communication and French from Sam Houston State University in 2005. As Director, Brandon oversees policies, budget, collaborative programming, facilities management, personnel and strategic planning for the department. He is Co-Chair of the SHSU Ring Ceremony, a member of the SHSU Homecoming Committee, the Battle of the Piney Woods Committee, the University Special Events Committee, the Free Speech Committee and the Re-Imagining the First-Year Experience (RFY) Interdivisional Committee. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Huntsville/Walker County Chamber of Commerce, past executive board member of CASA of Walker & San Jacinto Counties and a member of the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary. He is a member of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) and College Student Educators International (ACPA); and recently graduated from the 2016-17 SHSU Leadership Academy. Brandon received his Master's degree in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from SHSU in May of 2011. In his leisure time, Brandon enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as traveling.
Email: brandon@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-3465
Dr. Rachel Valle
Associate Director II of Student Activities
Dr. Rachel Valle, Associate Director of Student Activities, oversees the Center for Diversity & Intercultural Affairs, the SHSU Program Council, and assessment. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Saint Thomas and a Master of Public Administration and a Doctorate of Education from Sam Houston State University. In her spare time, she enjoys learning about history and politics.
Email: rachel.valle@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-3588
Brian McColpin
Associate Director II of Student Activities
Brian McColpin currently serves as the Associate Director II for the Department of Student Activities. A 2018 graduate from Sam Houston State University with a Masters in Higher Education Administration and with a certificate in Academic Advising. He is a native of Wichita, Kansas and earned an associate’s degree from Coffeyville Community College and a bachelor's degree from Morehead State University. He is married to Melissa McColpin and they have three kids Stella, Sam, and Sawyer
Email: bmccolpin@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-1937
Steven Begnaud
Assistant Director of Student Activities
Steven Begnaud, Assistant Director of Student Activities, is originally from Houston, Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2011 from SHSU. He currently oversees Traditions and Special Events, such as Sammypalooza, Welcome Week, Homecoming, Tree of Light, and more. Outside of work Steven enjoys watching football and MMA, playing with his dogs, and traveling. He is currently in the process of obtaining his M.Ed in Instructional Leadership with a focus in Higher Education Administration from SHSU.
Email: stevenb@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-3077
Jordan Chang
Assistant Director for the Center for Diversity & Intercultural Affairs
Jordan Chang is originally from Kingston, Jamaica. He received his bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2012 from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. While in his undergraduate studies, Jordan's campus involvement in areas such as New Student Orientation, Multicultural Affairs, Student Involvement, and Greek Life made him more interested in Higher Education and specifically, Student Affairs. He earned his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership: Higher Education in December 2014 from FAU and is now a PROUD Bearkat!
Email: jmc118@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-2603
Sarah Garcia
Spirit Programs Coach
Sarah Garcia is a SHSU alumni where she was a member of the Orange Pride Dance team before taking over as coach in 2009. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education. After Coaching at Sam Houston for 4 years bringing home 4 National Championship Titles, Sarah relocated to her hometown in Killeen, TX. Sarah is very excited to be back at SHSU and taking on more responsibility as the Spirit Programs Coach where she will work with all Spirit Teams including the Orange Pride Dance Team, Coed Cheer, All-Girl Cheer, and the Mascot Sammy the Bearkat!! In 2019, Orange Pride made school history, by bringing home a Double National Title in Team Performance and Jazz. Sarah is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership with emphasis in Dance, and will graduate December 2020. Sarah is married to the love of her life, Joey Garcia and they are the proud parents of 2 children, Scarlett & Joey Jr.
Email: sjk002@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-1761
Evangelina Covarrubias
Program Coordinator for Special Events
Evangelina Covarrubias, Program Coordinator for Special Events in the Department of Student Activities, is originally from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Before joining Student Activities, she was an Orange Key and worked at SHSU's Academic Success Center as a peer mentor. Outside of work, she enjoys being active, artistic, and acquiring new knowledge and skills.
Email: exc122@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-3862
Resume
Tyler Cooper
Coordinator of the Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs
Originally, from East Dublin, Georgia, Tyler Cooper is the Program Coordinator of the Center for Diversity & Intercultural Affairs. Tyler earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Middle Georgia State University and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University. He is excited to take on the challenge of cultivating a more diverse & inclusive space for bearkats and future bearkats here at Sam Houston State University.
Email: toc002@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-2603
Ryan Riley
Assistant Spirit Programs Coach
Ryan Riley is a SHSU alumni where he was a member of the Co-Ed Cheerleading team before taking over as coach in 2021. He has a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Exercise Science. After Graduating, Ryan went on to coach at Texas State University where he started an athlete signing initiative and helped to lead their all-girl team to a top three finish for the first time in 10 years. Ryan is very excited to be back at SHSU and taking on more responsibility as the Assistant Spirit Programs Coach where he will work with all Spirit Teams including the Orange Pride Dance Team, Coed Cheer, All-Girl Cheer, and the Mascot Sammy the Bearkat!
Email: rcr031@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-4239
Megan Ellisor
Administrative Coordinator
Megan Ellisor is the administrative coordinator in the Department of Student Activities and serves as the Staff Senate news and networking chair. Megan is a Bearkat through and through earning her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Sam Houston State University in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration at Sam Houston State University. Outside work, she enjoys interior design, spur-of-the-moment adventures, and spending time with her dad.
Email: mme014@shsu.edu
Phone: 936-294-4180
VACANT
Administrative Assistant III
Phone: 936-294-3884
Resume