Today@Sam Article

Student Spotlight: Hagui Cardona (w/video)

July 10, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

Hagui Cardona grew up in Houston idolizing action movie heroes who gave their all to protect and defend their country and allies. While a young Cardona thought the movies and action heroes were amazing at the time, he didn’t realize that he would one day exceed the actions of those on screen through his commission as a First Army Officer.

“I’m first generation for just about everything,” Cardona said. “I’m a first-generation bachelor’s student, a first-generation master’s student and a first-generation commissioned officer, so it’s a big milestone for me.”

Being commissioned is the latest in a string of accomplishments by Cardona. He came to Sam Houston State University to study criminal justice, with the goal of going to graduate school and ultimately becoming a lawyer. While at SHSU, he got joined the Pre-Law Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, Model UN and the Elliott T. Bowers Honors College.

Following his graduation, Cardona took on a corporate position, but felt that something was missing. The little boy who listened intently to family members’ stories from their time serving the country and was riveted by on-screen combatants felt no connection to the role that his older self was currently in. Eventually, Cardona realized that the corporate world and even the prospect of practicing law would not give him the sense of purpose he was seeking.

Around that time, he received an email from SHSU’s ROTC program. The recruiter explained the program, what he would be doing and how his participation could help him earn his master’s degree.

“It felt very random because I had already graduated when I received the email,” he said. “As cheesy as it sounds, it was like a sign telling me that this was my chance to do something that I always wanted to do.”

When he returned to SHSU as a graduate student, Cardona entered the homeland security master’s program, which aligned with his interests and would prepare him for a career in the military. With an online course schedule, Cardona quickly re-entered his student worker position at Johnson Coliseum while also working at a law firm.

His decision to return through the ROTC program connected Cardona with fellow graduate students and members of SHSU’s faculty and staff who inspired him to strive for excellence. Their motivating effect fanned the flames that were initially sparked by his friend and classmate, Autumn Shimer, during his sophomore year.

“The passion and pride with which she spoke about her accomplishments in the Army not only motivated me to pursue a career in service but also encouraged me to grow into a more disciplined and purpose-driven individual,” he said. “Everything I have achieved, I owe to her influence and example.”

As a two-time Bearkat graduate, Cardona isn’t opposed to the idea of adding a third degree under his belt in the future. For now, he is looking forward to beginning the Basic Officer Leader Course while stationed at Fort Gregg-Adams in Virginia. The time he spends there will be a continuation of the educational experiences he has had throughout his SHSU journey. His focus will now shift solely to preparing for his new role as a commissioned Army officer.

Cardona acknowledges that this next step will be difficult, as he will be farther from his family than ever before. Coming from a Honduran background, he said a large part of the culture he grew up in centered around remaining close with family geographically and relationally. After all, it was his close ties to his loved ones that has made everything he has achieved thus far even more worthwhile.

“It’s honestly hard to put into words, but above all, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride during my post-graduate commencement and commissioning ceremony,” he said. “Despite the current political climate, it means so much to me, as an immigrant, to be able to achieve these milestones and serve this incredible country. It was a deeply meaningful moment, not just for me, but also for my family and friends who have supported me along the way.”

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