OUR PROGRESS

Priority One - Prioritize Student Success and Student Access

(“Ensuring every student has the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.”)

Expanding Opportunity and Access

• Expanded online portfolio from 69 to 84 programs, increasing access for working and place-bound students.
• Expanded college affordability by raising Bearkat Promise eligibility from $40,000 to $100,000 in family income.
• Delivered 7,074 students through 74 Premium Distance Learning courses using OER.
• Reduced first-year barriers through block scheduling and expanded open educational resources serving 7,074 students.
• Freshman block scheduling implemented (Fall 2026) to reduce registration barriers and increase credit momentum.

Helping Students Persist and Graduate

• Bearkat Kickoff participants achieved 92.35% persistence vs. 81.35% and 80.08% retention vs. 63.69%, with higher GPAs (2.82 vs. 2.33).
• Participants in Bearkat Camp demonstrated retention rates 7–8% higher than non-participants, with four-year graduation rates reaching 50.8%.
• UNIV 1101 supported 1,449 new students in their transition to college, with 1,430 completions and first-year retention increasing 2.5%, positioning the program for universal implementation in Fall 2026.
• Increased first-year retention 2.5%.
• In its first year, CARE Network supported 1,041 students through coordinated academic and well-being interventions designed to promote student success.
• Predictive analytics and early alert systems expanded to identify and support at-risk students sooner.
• DFQ rates reduced 5%–8% in targeted gateway and core courses.

Preparing Students for High-Demand Careers

• Achieved 28% growth in COSET’s entering class, including 71% growth in Data Science.
• Undergraduate cybersecurity enrollment tripled to 231 students in Fall 2025.
• Accelerated degree completion through streamlined graduate programs and career-focused curriculum.
• Expanded graduate and educator pathways with 50% growth in forensic science and 23% growth in Alternative Certification.
• Grew forensic science master’s enrollment 50% and alternative teacher certification enrollment 23%.
• Alternative Certification Program enrollment grew 23% year-over-year.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences internships expanded from 128 to 141 students year over year.

Building Healthcare and Professional Workforce Pathways

• Launched the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, attracting 950+ applications for the inaugural 40-student cohort.
• Doctor of Physical Therapy program advanced to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and CAPTE for targeted Fall 2027 launch.
• Achieved 99%+ residency placement and 100% first-time pass rates on COMLEX Levels 1 and 3.
• Nursing curriculum revised and School of Nursing student capacity expansion approved for a 70% enrollment increase (425 → 720 students) incrementally over the next four years.

Investing in Student Support and Success

• Graduate student participation in mentoring, professional development, and support services increased 124% since Fall 2024, significantly expanding engagement and support for graduate student success.
• College of Education awarded $655,000 in scholarships to 253 students.
• Strengthened healthcare recruitment by expanding the College of Health Sciences Summer Camp 50%.
• SNAPPI awarded $999,500 from the Nursing Innovation Grant Program and $350,000 Kilroy Foundation support.
• College of Arts and Media summer programming engaged 1,000+ prospective students and community participants annually.

Priority 2 - Embody a Culture of Excellence

(“Striving for the highest standards in all endeavors, foster innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement to achieve outstanding outcomes in education, research, and community service”)

Excellence in Student Outcomes

• Achieved 99%+ residency placement rate and 100% first-time pass rate on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Level 1 and Level 3.
• Bearkat Kickoff persistence 92.35% vs. 81.35% and retention 80.08% vs. 63.69%.
• DFQ rates reduced 5%–8% in gateway and core courses.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences graduate enrollment increased 7.6%.
• Forensic science master’s enrollment increased 50% through infrastructure investment.

Advancing Research, Innovation and Discovery

• Achieved $125M in grant submissions, $19M in expenditures, and growth to 11 patent applications and 2 patents.
• Secured $7.6 million in new external funding for the College of Science and Engineering Technology.
• Graduate Student Research Showcase included 200 presentations and 300+ attendees.

Operational Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness

• Modernized enrollment and student success through Salesforce, predictive modeling, and analytics adoption.
• Salesforce CRM advanced campus-wide recruitment and conversion analytics.
• Finance & Operations transitioned oversight of $168 million in retirement assets.
• Updated the Keep-Stop-Start survey using the Ideawake Platform, generating ~103 ideas to foster continuous improvement, innovation, and insight to improve planning and prioritization

Excellence in Student Experience

• Criminal justice ecosystem expanded experiential learning and applied research.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences internships expanded from 128 to 141 students.
• College of Health Sciences Summer Camp capacity increased 50%.
• College of Arts and Media expanded interdisciplinary pathways across Art, Film, Emerging Media, and Mass Communication.
• Cost of Attendance/Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) support expanded to 36% of student-athletes.
• Athletics launched the Competitive Excellence Fund and opened the Beckner Tennis Center.

Cultivating a Culture of Philanthropy

• Giving Day grew from 740 gifts / ~$100K to 1,049 gifts / $308K+ and 870 gifts / ~$564K+.

Priority three - Elevate the Reputation and Visibility of SHSU

(“Showcasing achievements, enhancing presence locally/globally and building strong partnerships”)

National Recognition and Academic Distinction

National Rankings and Reputation

• Ranked among the Top 15% of universities nationally by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting continued gains in student success, academic quality, and institutional performance.
• Ranked #21 nationally for Social Mobility by U.S. News, placing SHSU among the nation's leaders in helping students achieve economic advancement and career success.
• Recognized among the Top 5% of U.S. institutions for Upward Social Mobility, demonstrating SHSU's commitment to expanding opportunity and transforming lives.
• Ranked #9 among Texas's 85 public and independent universities in the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges rankings and #231 nationally.
• Earned national recognition for excellence in student outcomes, return on investment, graduate success, learning environment, and overall student experience in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings.
• Named one of Money Magazine's Best Colleges in America, reflecting SHSU's strong value proposition and affordability for students and families.
• Maintained Carnegie Classification recognition as a Community Engaged University, highlighting SHSU's impact through civic engagement, workforce partnerships, and service to Texas communities.
• Achieved 99%+ residency placement and perfect Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)  Levels 1 and 3 first-time pass rates.
• SHSU Texas Review Press earned National Book Award Longlist and Kingsley Tufts Award recognition.
• Athletics earned a national College Sports Media Award and increased student basketball attendance 48%.
• Earned Conference USA academic recognition while implementing NCAA’s Holistic Student-Athlete Benefits Model.

Research and Innovation Leadership

• Cyber Forensics Intelligence Center secured $2.5 million in federal funding to expand the Security Operations Center into a District SOC.
• Achieved $125M in grant submissions and 11 patent applications.
• COSET faculty awarded $7.6 million in external funding.
• Cybersecurity enrollment tripled to 231 students.
• Integrated artificial intelligence into 56 business courses.

Athletics Excellence and Championships

• Orange Pride Dance Team made collegiate history by winning four National Dance Alliance (NDA) titles, including National Champion Team, National Champion Jazz, Grand National Champion Team, and Grand National Champion Jazz, becoming the first program to capture back-to-back Grand National Championships.
• The Orange Pride Dance Team extended its national championship legacy, bringing the program total to 20 national titles and continuing an unmatched streak of championship success since 2019.
• Women’s Bowling earned its 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and qualified for the NCAA Regional Championship, marking the program’s 14th NCAA Championship berth in 16 seasons.
• Men’s Basketball exceeded preseason expectations, finishing third in Conference USA, advancing to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals, and earning a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
• Student-athletes continued to earn Conference USA recognition for athletic, academic, and community-service excellence across multiple sports.

• SHSU Rodeo continued its national prominence with College National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, a seventh place Men’s team finish in the Nationals, and a Cheyenne Frontier Days championship earned by two-time CNFR qualifier Cole Pugh
• Campus Recreation Club Sports programs continued to compete successfully at conference, regional, and national levels, providing expanded opportunities for student-athlete engagement and competitive success.
• The PGA Golf Management program continued its tradition as one of the nation’s premier programs, producing nationally competitive student teams and graduates prepared for leadership roles within the golf industry.

Expanding Impact and Partnerships

• Expanded workforce-responsive programs in AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, and skilled trades.
• Criminal justice ecosystem sustained one of the largest comprehensive Criminal Justice education ecosystems in the U.S.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences internships expanded from 128 to 141 students.
• College of Arts and Media (CAM) established a Community Advisory Board of alumni, donors, and industry leaders.
• CAM expanded interdisciplinary pathways across creative industries.

Advancing Student Opportunity

• College of Education awarded $655,000 in scholarships.
• Graduate Research Showcase included 200 presentations and 300+ attendees.
• Cost of Attendance/Name Image and Likeness support expanded to 36% of student-athletes.
• Student Affairs grew to 288 student organizations (+9%) and 1,000+ fraternity/sorority members.

Growing Philanthropic Support

• University Advancement generated $72M+ over three years.
• Raised approximately $564,000 from 870 donors during SHSU’s record Giving Day.
• Giving Day expanded to 1,049 gifts / $308K+ and 870 gifts / ~$564K+.
• SHSU expanded multimedia production capabilities with $315,000 investment in video and photography equipment.

Priority Four - Expand and Elevate our Service to the State and Beyond

(“Increasing our impact through community engagement, innovative programs and partnerships that address local/global challenges, benefitting society as a whole”)

Major Facilities, Infrastructure, and Community Events

• Groundbreaking of Active Learning Center Building to host enhanced learning classrooms from all academic programs on the Huntsville campus.
• Completion of Bowers Stadium upgrades including the press box, concessions, meeting, and West side seating
• Invested ~19 M into renovations of the Woodlands Center, greatly enhancing nursing school simulations and the Woodlands Campus Student Success areas.
• Partnered with the County, City of Huntsville, and Community leaders to establish a local Economic Development Center.

Meeting Critical Workforce Needs for Texas

• Strengthened Texas’ physician workforce by placing 66% of osteopathic medicine graduates in Texas residencies, with 51% entering primary care and 26% entering emergency medicine.
• Expanded Texas’ nursing workforce pipeline through a revised curriculum and a phased 70% enrollment increase (425 to 720 students), supported by SNAPPI, facility renovations, and expanded clinical partnerships.
• Expanded graduate medical education through new psychiatry and family medicine residency programs.
• Psychiatry Residency Program launched July 2026.
• Huntsville Rural Family Medicine Residency graduated its first cohort.
• Masters Physicians Assistants program received 950+ applications in one month.
• Doctor of Physical Therapy program advanced toward Fall 2027 launch.
• Undergraduate cybersecurity enrollment tripled to 231 students in Fall 2025.
• Nursing curriculum revised and School of Nursing student capacity expansion approved for a 70% enrollment increase (425 → 720 students) incrementally over the next four years.
• College of Criminal Justice launched the leadership development and professional education partnership focusing on: Leadership training for correctional professionals, continuing education opportunities, Professional certification recognition, Academic advancement pathways, and Workforce development and professional growth in corrections

Supporting Texas Education

• Expanded educator pathways through partnerships with 21 school districts.
• College of Education expanded partnerships with 21 school districts.
• Alternative Certification Program enrollment grew 23% year-over-year.

Driving Economic and Industry Impact

• Expanded workforce-responsive programs in AI, cybersecurity, healthcare and skilled trades.
• Cybersecurity enrollment tripled to 231 students.
• Graduate certificates scaffolded into new graduate degrees.

Strengthening Communities Through Engagement

• Partnerships with multiple ISD’s finalized
• Criminal justice ecosystem expanded experiential learning and applied research.
• Center for Community Engagement received full-time staff support funding, and Academic Community Engaged courses are now in ~330 classes with ~8,000 students each semester.
• Premium Distance Learning courses served 7,074 students in Spring 2025.
• COHS Summer Camp capacity increased 50%.
• COHS Bridge Scholarship Program advanced 43% of participants to graduate/professional programs.
• CAM summer programming engaged 1,000+ prospective students.

Priority One - Prioritize Student Success and Student Access

(“Ensuring every student has the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.”)

Scholarships, Financial Support, and Fundraising

• Secured a $5 million gift for the College of Business Administration Trading Floor, expanding experiential learning opportunities for business students.
• Received $8.5 million in external grants for the College of Education and awarded 172 grant-funded scholarships totaling $1.3 million, increasing access and reducing student debt barriers.
• Raised approximately $308,000 from 1,049 donors on Giving Day to support scholarships, student programs, athletics, and Alumni Association initiatives.
• Awarded 32 completion grants to students within one to two semesters of graduation through a partnership with the National Institute for Student Success, helping remove financial barriers to degree completion.
• Updated the university's transcript release policy to provide access regardless of account balance, resulting in more than 500 monthly payment agreements that support continued enrollment and student success.

Flexible Learning, Academic Pathways, and Course Access

• Introduced hybrid and weekend course options in select programs to better serve adult learners balancing education, employment, and family commitments.
• Created 25 stackable certificates over the past two years, expanding credential pathways and workforce readiness opportunities.
• Received Board approval for multiple new online degree and certificate programs, including offerings in educational studies, learning technologies, project methods, quality management tools, sport communication, crime analysis, geospatial applications, and woodwind performance pedagogy.
• Implemented market-sensitive tuition models for select College of Education graduate programs, contributing to a 21.1% increase in unduplicated enrollment.
• Expanded the College of Criminal Justice's Premium Distance Learning (PDL) initiative from 15 to 74 course sections in three years, with enrollment growing more than 375% and new courses added to meet student demand.

Student Retention, Predictive Analytics, and Completion Support

• Increased enrollment in UNIV 1101 by 28%, contributing to a 90.2% fall-to-spring persistence rate among first-time freshmen, a 2.4 percentage-point increase.
• Redesigned high-failure-rate courses and expanded embedded tutoring, improving course pass rates and student persistence.
• Expanded retention and support initiatives including SH Elite, Evolve, and Aspire, strengthening persistence among undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students.
• Implemented targeted coaching interventions for at-risk students, resulting in GPA increases ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 points and a 1.47x increase in persistence.
• Leveraged predictive analytics and AI-driven outreach campaigns to identify, engage, and support prospective and current students, contributing to enrollment growth across first-time freshmen, transfer, master's, and doctoral populations.

Student Experience, Belonging, and Campus Life Enhancements

• Enrolled the largest cohort in First Gen Center's Trailblazer Program history.
• Expanded first-year experience programs, including Living-Learning Communities and Bearkat Camp, to foster belonging early in the academic journey.
• Expanded student basic-needs and success resources through the SHSU Food Pantry, which served more than 4,300 student visits and distributed over 55,000 pounds of food, helping remove barriers to retention and academic success.
• Strengthened student support services through Tripod's Thrift and the Reba Bock Career Closet, serving more than 1,700 students with professional attire, essential items, and career-readiness resources.

Transfer, Access, and Educator Pathways

• Expanded transfer partnerships with community colleges, creating seamless pathways that increase access and accelerate degree attainment for transfer students.
• The School of Agricultural Sciences secured a $750,000 grant to prepare future agricultural educators, strengthening Texas's agricultural education workforce pipeline.
• Increased educational access through strategic partnerships, scholarship support, and targeted student success initiatives that reduce barriers to enrollment and completion.

Health, STEM, and Professional Workforce Preparation

• Expanded College of Osteopathic Medicine preceptors by 53% to 1,750, strengthening hands-on clinical training and expanding experiential learning opportunities for future physicians.
• Received a $999,500 Nursing Innovation Grant Program award to scale the Shared Nursing Academic Practice Partnership Initiative (SNAPPI), an innovative model designed to address Texas's nursing faculty shortage and strengthen the state's healthcare workforce pipeline. [shsu.edu], [shsu.edu]
• Expanded SNAPPI as a scalable partnership model that enables experienced bedside nurses to serve as clinical faculty while remaining in practice, increasing clinical training capacity and supporting healthcare workforce development across Texas. [shsu.edu], [ncsbn.org]
• Launched new healthcare workforce programs, including the Master of Health Administration, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Master of Physician Assistant Studies, expanding SHSU's role in preparing professionals for high-demand healthcare fields. [intranet.shsu.edu]
• The School of Agricultural Sciences obtained a $750,000 grant to train future agricultural teachers, strengthening Texas's agricultural education pipeline.
• Construction began on the College of Business Administration Trading Floor featuring Bloomberg terminals, providing students with industry-standard tools and experiential learning opportunities.

Athletics and Student Achievement

• Generated significant Giving Day support for athletics and student success initiatives through 1,049 donors and approximately $308,000 in contributions.
• Expanded opportunities for student achievement through enhanced academic support, experiential learning, leadership development, and co-curricular engagement programs.
• Continued to invest in student success initiatives that support academic performance, persistence, graduation, and post-graduate career outcomes.

Priority 2 - Embody a Culture of Excellence

(“Striving for the highest standards in all endeavors, foster innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement to achieve outstanding outcomes in education, research, and community service”)

Operational Improvements, Systems, and Processes

• Transitioned Huntsville campus custodial services in-house, improving service quality while reducing operational costs.
• Shifted 100% of marketing communications projects into a project management system, increasing efficiency, accountability, and transparency across divisions.
• Migrated Newton Gresham Library to the Alma/Primo library services platform, improving collection management, search functionality, and resource accessibility.
• Implemented LinkedIn Learning for all faculty, staff, and students, expanding access to professional development and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Completed 82% of adopted Keep-Stop-Start initiatives from AY 2023-24, with the remaining initiatives showing significant progress toward implementation.
• Launched Microsoft Copilot as the university's enterprise AI platform to support productivity, collaboration, and innovation.
• Upgraded the KatSafe emergency notification platform with a new vendor to improve the speed, reliability, and effectiveness of emergency communications.
• Streamlined the curricular approval process by implementing all action items, including real-time Provost review, monthly finance meetings, and reducing the process from three stages to two.
• Implemented Salesforce for recruitment and admissions across all colleges and academic levels, while launching Phase II focused on student success and persistence.

Grants, Research, and Academic Excellence

• Texas State University System approved eight new academic certificates in workforce-focused areas including Learning Technologies and Project Methods.
• Received approval for multiple new online degree and certificate programs aligned with state and regional workforce needs.
• Secured a 75.3% retention rate for the Fall 2024 first-time, full-time freshman cohort.
• SHSU ranked 165th nationally among approximately 3,000 institutions for undergraduate acceptance into law school.
• Increased total external grant funding by $4.6 million.
• COSET secured $6.7 million in grant funding to support research and student success initiatives.

Facilities, Housing, and Infrastructure

• Renovated Newton Gresham Library, adding group study rooms, individual study booths, and a meditation/reflection room to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Acquired a 192-bed apartment complex to expand student housing capacity and improve quality-of-life options.
• Acquired 4.8 acres adjacent to the College of Osteopathic Medicine to support future health sciences growth.
• Advanced construction of the College of Business Administration Trading Floor.
• Launched the Esports Task Force and completed construction of the university's Esports Lab on August 1, 2025.

Innovation, Engagement, and Student Support

• Improved student satisfaction with the Bearkat Bundle program while reducing the opt-out rate by 14%, the lowest level since program launch.
• Added Bearkat Camp sessions and increased participation, contributing to a 7-8% increase in retention.
• Expanded emergency micro-grants and completion grants for students experiencing unexpected financial hardships.
• Implemented one-page transfer guides for all undergraduate programs, simplifying transfer planning and community college course selection.
• Developed an early graduation incentive program to encourage accelerated degree completion.
• Continued the Center for Community Engagement's Community Work-Study Program, connecting students with community partners while supporting workforce development.
• Formed a Student Success Advisory Board to guide improvement efforts and strengthen student support services.
• Enhanced student employment through PeopleAdmin implementation, increased student pay, and supervisor training programs.
• Established dedicated pregnancy and parenting student support services, including a designated liaison and targeted resources.
• Expanded strategic planning dashboards and performance reporting tools, increasing transparency and institutional accountability.
• Partnered with Education Connex to support graduate admissions, contributing to four consecutive semesters of graduate enrollment growth.
• Reimagined and expanded the Bearkat Family Network with bilingual resources and family engagement programming.
• Joined the JED Campus Mental Health Initiative and launched the ELEVATE campaign to expand mental health awareness, wellness resources, and counseling support.

Athletics Excellence and Student-Athlete Support

• Implemented a comprehensive student-athlete success framework, including Bearkat Athletic Mentoring, Life Skills programming, wellness workshops, mental health support initiatives, international student-athlete services, and expanded student payroll opportunities.
• Expanded student-athlete well-being resources through the PAWS for Mental Health campaign, Let’s Talk sessions, and a Mental Health Emergency Action Plan.
• Increased retention and success support for student-athletes through mentoring, leadership development, and holistic wellness programming.

Priority three - Elevate the Reputation and Visibility of SHSU

(“Showcasing achievements, enhancing presence locally/globally and building strong partnerships”)

Academic Programs, Certifications, and Pipelines

• Launched SamPoly, developed with direct industry input to support Texas workforce needs and statewide credential attainment goals through 2030.
• Achieved strong graduate enrollment growth, with master's enrollment increasing 24% in Spring and 30% in Summer.
• Increased College of Health Sciences summer camp attendance by 28%, generating a 40% enrollment conversion rate and strengthening the healthcare workforce pipeline.
• Increased funding for Bearkat Advantage Scholarships and First-Generation Student Grants, reducing financial barriers for low-income and first-generation students.
• The SHSU Charter School earned an"A" rating from the Texas Education Agency, placing it among the top 10% of school districts in Texas.

Brand, Recognition, and National Visibility

• Received numerous faculty and staff professional, state, national, and international awards, including Faculty Excellence Awards and Staff Excellence Awards recognizing exceptional performance and service.
• Completed a comprehensive university brand rollout and institutional marketing campaign, strengthening SHSU's visibility and market position.
• Ranked#21 nationally for Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report for the third consecutive year, reflecting SHSU's success in supporting Pell-eligible students and advancing economic mobility.
• Earned strong national rankings for multiple online graduate programs and veterans-focused programs in U.S. News & World Report.
• SHSU's Criminal Justice and Forensic Science programs continued to receive national recognition, ranking among the leading programs nationally and regionally.
• Received designation as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2030, recognizing institutional leadership in cybersecurity education and workforce preparation.

Research, Innovation, and National Events

• The College of Osteopathic Medicine secured a $4.9 million federal grant to strengthen biomedical research, faculty scholarship, and healthcare education.
• Opened a new Esports Lab featuring 13 high-performance gaming stations and dedicated competitive space, creating new opportunities for student engagement and emerging technology applications.
• Advanced innovation initiatives that connect academic programming, workforce development, and applied learning experiences to regional and statewide needs.

Athletics Excellence and Championships

• Football achieved a historic 10-3 season and captured the first bowl victory in university history, marking a milestone achievement for the Bearkat program.
• Increased overall fan engagement by 193%, ticket sales by 28%, and basketball attendance by 40%, expanding the visibility and impact of SHSU Athletics.
• Made strategic facility investments across Football, Baseball, Softball, and Tennis, enhancing the student-athlete experience and supporting competitive excellence.
• Men's Rugby continued its emergence as one of the university's premier club sports programs and earned a national Top-10 ranking among collegiate rugby programs, increasing SHSU's visibility in national club sport competition.
• Expanded student-athlete success and wellness programming through mentoring, leadership development, life-skills education, mental health support initiatives, and enhanced retention programs.
• Launched the university's Esports initiative, including the opening of a dedicated Esports Lab and development of competitive gaming opportunities for students.

Priority Four - Expand and Elevate our Service to the State and Beyond

(“Increasing our impact through community engagement, innovative programs and partnerships that address local/global challenges, benefitting society as a whole”)

Workforce Development, Applied Learning, and Economic Impact

• Launched SamPoly (School of Applied Sciences and Technology), creating workforce-aligned certificates and applied associate degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Information Systems and Security, and Paralegal Studies to address critical Texas workforce needs.
• Developed SamPoly in partnership with industry leaders including Forward Edge AI, Anthem Technology, and The Bihm Firm, ensuring programs are aligned with employer demand and workforce skill gaps.
• Expanded Academic Community Engagement (ACE) course offerings by 49%, increasing opportunities for students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges facing communities and organizations throughout Texas.
• Strengthened workforce pipelines by providing stackable credentials and career-ready pathways that support economic mobility and talent development across Texas.
• Achieved a four-year high in graduate enrollment, reflecting growing demand for SHSU's workforce-oriented graduate and professional education programs.

Public Safety, Criminal Justice, and Leadership Development

• Through the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), delivered advanced leadership education and executive development to more than 2,500 law enforcement professionals representing over 200 agencies statewide.
• Celebrated the 100th graduating class of the Leadership Command College, reinforcing SHSU's role as the premier provider of executive leadership training for Texas law enforcement.
• Expanded CJ.org into a statewide criminal justice resource hub, increasing access to professional development, research, best practices, and practitioner support.
• Expanded educational access and workforce development opportunities in South Texas through a partnership with South Texas College in the Rio Grande Valley, extending SHSU's criminal justice educational reach to a strategically important region of the state.
• Continued to serve as a national leader in criminal justice education by connecting practitioners, agencies, policymakers, and academic experts through professional development and applied research initiatives.

Community Partnerships, Rural Access, and K–12 Engagement

• Expanded the Center for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship's ExcitED Program from one to three high schools, increasing access to entrepreneurship, technology, and workforce development opportunities for K–12 students.
• Increased Academic Community Engagement partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies across the region, creating meaningful educational and service-learning experiences.
• Developed educational pathways that broaden access to career-focused programs for rural communities, working adults, and nontraditional learners through SamPoly's online delivery model.
• Expanded ACE partnerships with local schools and community organizations, helping address educational, workforce, and community challenges through applied student learning.

Veterans, Workforce Mobility, and Student Success

• Supported more than 1,100 student veterans through mentoring, transition assistance, career readiness programming, and academic support services.
• Earned a Gold-Level Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission, marking the university's continued leadership in supporting military-connected students.
• Continued to strengthen pathways from military service to civilian careers through targeted support, workforce development, and student success initiatives.

Healthcare Partnerships and Workforce Innovation

• Expanded healthcare workforce preparation through innovative partnerships, clinical training opportunities, and workforce-oriented academic programs that address regional and statewide healthcare needs.
• Strengthened pathways into high-demand healthcare professions while supporting Texas' long-term healthcare workforce development priorities.
• Increased College of Health Sciences outreach and recruitment efforts, helping introduce prospective students to healthcare careers and educational pathways.
• Continued to build SHSU's role as a healthcare workforce leader through expanded professional education, community partnerships, and clinical training initiatives.

Technology, Cybersecurity, and Innovation

• Opened the COSET Security Operations Center, enhancing institutional cybersecurity while providing students with real-world experiential learning opportunities in a high-demand field.
• Earned designation as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2030, placing SHSU among a select group of institutions recognized by the National Security Agency for excellence in cybersecurity education.
• Advanced workforce preparation in emerging technologies through cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, information systems, and applied technology programs.
• Positioned SHSU as a state leader in preparing highly skilled technology professionals capable of meeting evolving workforce and national security needs.

Community Support and Quality of Life

• Secured a $100,000 grant for the SHSU Food Pantry to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for SHSU students and the broader Huntsville community.
• Continued to expand university-community partnerships focused on quality of life, economic development, education, and public service.
• Leveraged ACE courses and community partnerships to connect students with nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and community stakeholders throughout the region.

National Engagement, Thought Leadership, and Institutional Impact

• Two TEDxSHSU presentations were selected as TED Editor's Picks, extending SHSU's academic, research, and intellectual contributions to a global audience.
• Continued to elevate SHSU's national visibility through faculty expertise, applied research, public scholarship, and strategic workforce partnerships.
• Strengthened the university's reputation as a statewide and national leader in workforce development, public service, criminal justice, healthcare education, and applied innovation.

Priority One - Prioritize Student Success and Student Access

(“Ensuring every student has the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.”)

Scholarships, Financial Support, and Fundraising

• 14% increase in Scholarship Fundraising to $3.5M
• Secured the largest fundraising year and exceeded the annual goal by $2M
• Inaugural Day of Giving, 728 gifts, raised $237K for student success initiatives
• Reynolds and Reynolds pledges $100K annually for 20 student scholarships in business and computer sciences
• Hawkins Center provides ~$1.6M to support teachers in the Hawkins Scholars of Excellence program
• National Science Foundation awards $2.8M grant for 20 student scholarships as part of the Scholarships for Service Program
• Student Scholarships distributions are up 14% over last year and the number of Scholarships is up 7%

Flexible Learning, Academic Pathways, and Course Access

• Expanded 7.5-week and 5-week parts of term to provide greater flexibility
• College of Criminal Justice – 5 new certificates available on Premium Distance Learning and 5Wk parts of term, increasing semester credit hours Fall to Fall and Spring to Spring by 250%
• Increased select dual credit courses for Huntsville High School, and Blaze University Homeschool co-op
• Creation of 4+1 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine One-Masters in Public Health dual degree

Student Retention, Predictive Analytics, and Completion Support

• SEI identified students at risk of delaying graduation and offered completion grants
• Created a predictive model for first-time freshman retention in partnership with Academic Affairs to be used to coordinate early intervention

Student Experience, Belonging, and Campus Life Enhancements

• Eliminated Rec Center barriers (new hours, eliminated fees/requirements, revised dress code)
• Extended dining hours to accommodate class schedules
• FORWARD students living on campus can stay during the breaks in residence facilities at no charge
• Hosted the inaugural Bearkat Kickoff program, engaging ~3200 freshmen
• Creation of a Student Experience Office to align institutional goals to boost student success
• Launch the First-Generation Center Trailblazer Program to connect students with faculty and staff to serve as mentors and coaches
• Developed the Bearkat Launch Program, extending the “on-ramp” for students admitted for holistic review

Transfer, Access, and Educator Pathways

• Completed transfer maps for Lone Star College and Blinn College
• College of Education designed a dynamic, innovative Alternative Certification Program to address the increasing need for well-prepared teachers across Texas, along with a $1.5M grant to launch this opportunity
• College of Education created Strategic Staffing paid residency models across 22 School Districts

Health, STEM, and Professional Workforce Preparation

• Inaugural COHS summer Camp hosted 30 High School Students with the upcoming camp scheduled to grow by 33%
• School of Nursing 100% pass rate and employment, 97% Pass rate on First-Time NCLEX results
• Created the Center for Building Business Professionals to help with Career preparedness via soft skills development (College of Business Administration)

Athletics and Student Achievement

• Led CUSA with three Scholar Athletes of the Year and 280 student athletes recognized for exceptional grade point averages

Priority 2 - Embody a Culture of Excellence

(“Striving for the highest standards in all endeavors, foster innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement to achieve outstanding outcomes in education, research, and community service”)

Operational Improvements, Systems, and Processes

• Started the Security Operations Center as a cost-effective way to provide cybersecurity and provide in house internships / work experience.
• Implemented an updated payment plan to reduce initial payment costs, provide flexible payment dates, and help prevent past-due balances
• Developed an enrollment forecaster dashboard for proactive enrollment tracking
• Implemented EduNav Smart Plan to provide students with the estimated cost of changing a course and/or degree plan, and extended time to degree
• Implemented Skeleton Crew days to aid in employee flexibility
• Launched a new data request form, automated the routing of the requests to simplify the intake process
• Streamlined the roommate matching software

Grants, Research, and Academic Excellence

• Total grant dollars awarded increased by $4.6M
• COSET secured $6.7M in grant funding to support research and student success
• Graduation of Inaugural Class from the College of Medicine, 100% pass rate, 100% residency placement, #3 COM ranking in the Nation
• First and only College of Medicine to receive a 10-year accreditation with exceptional outcomes

Facilities, Housing, and Infrastructure

• Acquired a 192-bed apartment complex to provide additional student housing and quality of life; acquired 4.8 acres near the COM for expected health education growth

Innovation, Engagement, and Student Support

• Created Keep-Stop-Start survey, generating over 1,000 ideas to foster innovation and insight to improve planning and prioritization
• SHSU Online launched Genius, a registration system for continuing education, serving ~39K students within the first year
• Career Success Center served ~2,500 students, a 57% increase from Fall to Fall
• SHSU ranked 165th out of 3,000 schools at getting undergraduates accepted to Law School
• Increased Academic Community Engaged courses by 35% over the past three years (68 new sections this year)
• Partnered with Community Work Study to offer increased pay

Priority three - Elevate the Reputation and Visibility of SHSU

(“Showcasing achievements, enhancing presence locally/globally and building strong partnerships”)

Academic Programs, Certificates, and Pipelines

• Added four-degree programs and created 17 new stackable certificates (since Fall 2022)
• Established multiple partnerships to build student pipelines to SHSU
• Created 3+2+1 degree programs

Brand, Recognition, and National Visibility

• Completed discovery and development of university brand
• SHSU Athletic graduation rate hit 83%
• Recognized as a Silver Award Military Friendly School for its commitment to service and support for military-affiliated students

Research, Innovation, and National Events

• Partnership established with Expanding Frontiers of Brownsville to create an innovation ecosystem to commercialize space technologies
• Co-sponsored the Mitchell Institute Collider, Dark Matter, and Neutrino Physics Workshop
• Hosted the National Book Awards Festival with the National Book Foundation
• Hosted the Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Science Summer Camp
• $1.4M National Institute of Health research grant

Athletics Excellence and Championships

• The student PGA Golf Management Team won the National Championship
• Alumni association created and hosted the inaugural SAM 79, recognizing fastest-growing SHSU alumni businesses
• Campus Recreation Club Sports Programs competed and won conference championships, regional titles, and competed on the national stage
• The SHSU Spirit programs won the national title
• Baseball won the Western Athletic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament
• Women's Golf advanced to the NCAA Regional
• Men's Golf won the Conference USA championship
• Men’s Basketball won the Conference USA regular-season basketball championship
• Women's Bowling advanced to the NCAA Final Four
• Coach Chris Mudge was named C-USA Coach of the Year

Priority Four - Expand and Elevate our Service to the State and Beyond

(“Increasing our impact through community engagement, innovative programs and partnerships that address local/global challenges, benefitting society as a whole”)

Major Facilities, Infrastructure, and Community Events

• Groundbreaking of Health Professions Building to house new academic programming for Physician Assistants, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training
• Completion of Gibbs Ranch Agriculture Complex, Dominey Observatory, and the Chuck and Wanda Beckner Tennis Center
• Initial Rodeo held at Gibbs Arena to sold-out crowds and a National TV broadcast

Community Partnerships, Rural Access, and K–12 Engagement

• Increased ACE course enrollment by 18% and secured a $750K grant
• Established partnership with East Texas Rural Network to boost rural student enrollment and completion rates
• Partnerships with Huntsville, Goose Creek ISDs to elevate student success
• College of Medicine created a program with four High Schools to prepare students for careers in medicine

Safety, Mental Health, and Workforce Development

• College of Education $1.5M for Texas School Safety initiatives and $5.2M for preparation of Mental Health professionals in school settings
• MOU signed with the US Census Bureau and an educational Partnership Agreement to support the National Security Agency

Criminal Justice, Intelligence, and Forensic Science

• Created BAAS pipelines for Criminal Justice majors at 10 institutions
• Creation of a Global Exchange Center (International Students) and the Office of Comparative and International Education and Leadership (Executive Development)
• Created the Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis to elevate Policing operations
• Expanded programming for Forensic Science MS programs to meet state capacity demands

Healthcare Partnerships and Workforce Innovation

• College of Medicine established additional regional clinical core sites in community-based, rural, and underserved areas of East Texas
• Partnership with the American Heart Association, SHSU Food Pantry, and Dietetic Internship Program
• Partnering with four major Houston healthcare systems to co-design a functional and contractual model for seamlessly sharing nurse-experts across academic practice settings

Technology, Sustainability, and Community Support

• Provided 40 pallets of used computer equipment to TDCJ Wynne Unit Computer Recovery Program to be refurbished and given to school districts