Hometown: Woodville, Texas
This fall, Smith-Hutson
Scholar and Homecoming King Ke’Von Paire will graduate with a Bachelor of
Arts in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University (SHSU).
With influence from his alumna sister, proximity to his
hometown and being awarded a scholarship, Paire was set on SHSU from the start.
"I chose SHSU
because my sister came here and had a blast,” he said. “I also have the honor
to be a Smith-Hutson Scholarship recipient.”
However, Paire faced challenges during his undergraduate
studies, undergoing seven eye surgeries due to a high school football injury.
Despite these setbacks, he credits the support of his family and campus
community for keeping him on track.
“It was really hard for me, to the point where I just wanted
to quit, but my family and my Smith-Hutson Scholarship advisors pushed me
through the finish line,” he said. “Every time I would go into the office,
there were always good vibes and laughter. If I were having a bad day, walking
into the office would always put a smile on my face.”
Reflecting on a memorable journey at SHSU, Paire has
demonstrated the impact of grit, connections and service to others. Looking
ahead, he plans to enter the corrections field and return to SHSU to pursue a
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management.
“After seeing how my uncles were treated in the system, I
want to work to reform the justice system. It's something I've always been
passionate about,” Paire said. “I want to focus on employee burnout in jails
and prisons to improve inmate safety.”
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This article was originally published on Sam Houston State University's website.