Today@Sam Article

Commencement Spotlight: Jacob Manuel

Aug. 22, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

Through time, education and experience, Sgt. Jacob Manuel has positioned himself to make his dreams in law enforcement a reality. The recent Sam Houston State University graduate will continue his Bearkat journey this fall and pursue his Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management.

By Arina Garcia

Sgt. Jacob Manuel 
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Kountze, Texas

This summer, Leadership Command College (LCC) alumnus Jacob Manuel fulfilled his goal of completing his Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree at Sam Houston State University.

Manuel’s academic career started before he joined law enforcement, earning an associate’s degree with plans to complete a bachelor’s soon after. However, life took a different course for him, putting his educational goals on hold. It was not until he attended the LCC program as part of his leadership development that his perspective on the value of education shifted.

“During my time at LCC, a lecturer shared an acronym: TEE, which stands for Time, Education and Experience,” Manuel said. “When the time comes for promotion, your preparation through education and experience will determine whether you are truly ready. For some, that time may only knock once.”

Motivated by this message, Manuel spoke with an advisor at SHSU the next day. He immediately enrolled after finding out he was only 42 credits shy of a bachelor’s degree. At this time, he was working more than 50 hours a week and still completing his final module at LCC.

“Being a full-time student while working 50–60 hours a week was a challenge,” Manuel said. “Time was a very limited resource—but once I started, I cut out the non-essential parts of my day and made it work.”

Although the journey to the finish line was filled with obstacles, Manuel’s dedication, combined with the support of LCC, helped maintain his perseverance.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was possible thanks to the encouragement and wisdom shared by the LCC staff,” he said. “They reignited a fire in me not just to finish what I’d started, but to aim even higher—to be a more prepared, educated and professional law enforcement officer representing my agency with pride.”

With a career-long goal now checked off his list, Manuel is ready to take on his next academic challenge. He will continue his educational journey with SHSU, beginning the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management program this fall.

“Now that my undergraduate studies are complete, I suddenly have more free time, and honestly, I find myself a little bored in the evenings,” Manuel said. “I’m looking forward to higher-level learning, developing stronger critical thinking skills and accomplishing this next goal.”

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