Today@Sam Article

COSET AND COCJ Students Explore Nation's Capital

May 22, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

By Will Gregory and Arina Garcia

Sam Houston State University College of Science and Engineering Technology (COSET) and College of Criminal Justice (COCJ) students embarked on the educational journey of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. in April.

“SHSU is working hard to create opportunities that truly impact student education,” said COSET graduate Daniel Perez. “This experience helped me realize what’s at stake in national security and how I can make a difference.”

The trip was made possible by Congressman Morgan Luttrell, an SHSU alumnus, to foster dialogue and provide insight into developing career opportunities in key fields such as cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

While touring the Pentagon, Capitol Hill and the White House, the students participated in roundtable discussions with leaders from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

“The most impactful moment for me was the roundtable discussions,” said COSET student Austin McMahan. “The conversations were fruitful, inspired me to learn more and gave direction on how to achieve my goals more effectively.”

They also had the unique opportunity to meet the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Beyond agency insights, the students also gained rare access to the U.S. House Gallery, where they observed the legislative process firsthand.

“The visit to D.C. introduced me to a few agencies that I was not aware existed, along with some of the processes of how things are done on Capitol Hill as far as getting jobs, opportunities and promotions,” said COCJ student Je’hMory Coleman.

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