Today@Sam Article

SamPoly Partnerships: Anthem Technology

May 19, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

SamPoly, Sam Houston State University’s innovative Polytechnic College, aims to address critical cyber-related security needs and equip students with the skills to become top information specialists.

“What really interested me about SamPoly was its ability to alleviate the load we have been bearing in the hiring process,” said Kevin Dixon, industry partner and CEO of Anthem Technology in Huntsville. “Sam Houston State stepped in to harness some of that technical training knowledge and started applying it to the collegiate process.”

The two curriculums, Computer Information Systems and Security & Computer Support Specialist, not only strive to combat critical shortages, but also highlight the areas of need that other certification routes often overlook.

“SamPoly provides the skills that my colleagues and I look for in new hires,” Dixon said. “I have always discussed those needs, but never thought a school would adopt them as part of their plan. This really bridges the gap.”

Anthem has operated in the university’s backyard for nearly two decades, establishing a reliable local footprint since their 2010 inception. Their services primarily involve taking on full IT and security support services for small-to-medium size businesses.

“Early on, I noticed the kind of candidates with college degrees tended to have a very different focus than the actual needs that we had on the ground,” Dixon said. “We need people who have good communication skills, but also have the ability to troubleshoot and sort through problems without having to be guided every step of the way.”

SamPoly’s user support-focused approach teaches students to provide technical assistance in various cyber settings through hands-on labs, applied coursework and industry-relevant projects.

Graduates with the Level-1 Certificate credential will be able to enter the IT industry as a computer user support specialist while graduates with the Associate of Applied Science credential can provide guidance for system and network security, design and install secure network systems and maintain network traffic and security.

“SamPoly has strengthened our connection with industry,” said Chad Hargrave, vice president for research and strategic partnerships at SHSU. “It will continue to strengthen the more we listen to our industry partners and satisfy their needs.”

Kickstart your future through SamPoly’s Computer Information Systems and Security & Computer Support Specialist programs.

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