This March, a group of 15 criminal justice students attending Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) programs at South Texas College (STC) and Texas Southmost College (TSC) visited SHSU’s Huntsville, Texas, campus for an immersive learning experience.
“Going to SHSU’s main campus as someone who lives seven
hours away was an amazing experience,” said Joanna Gutierrez, one of the
students taking courses at STC. “It felt like we were part of the actual campus
life and I loved how informative and interesting it was.”
The all-day event offered students the chance to explore
campus facilities and attractions and join a tour of the nearby Texas
Department of Criminal Justice Huntsville Unit, a valuable experience for
students pursuing a career in criminal justice.
With career preparation in mind, students also engaged with
agencies and learned about various job opportunities at the Criminal Justice
Career and Internship Fair hosted by the SHSU Career Success Center. The
afternoon agenda featured a trip to the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science
Facility and a graduate school presentation, with
sessions from each COCJ academic department.
“This visit represents a shared commitment to expanding
opportunity and building intentional pathways for student success,” said David
Stender, COCJ director for strategy and innovation. “We are focused on creating
accessible, high-impact educational experiences that align directly with
workforce needs. Our partnerships with STC and TSC allow us to meet students
where they are and provide clear, achievable routes to advancing their
education and careers.”
The day ended with dinner alongside the CJ Ambassadors, the
college’s official student representatives, followed by activities at the
Lowman Student Center Kat Klub. The group also joined in the fun at the SHSU
Campus Activities Board’s Spring Takeover event, held that evening at the Frank
Parker Plaza.
Brownsville, Texas, student Mia Recio said she appreciated
the opportunity to learn more about both the college and the field of criminal
justice through this experience.
“The visit provided such a meaningful look into the criminal
justice field, from experiencing a correctional environment to touring the
beautiful campus,” Recio said. “This trip not only deepened my interest in this
area of study but also reaffirmed that choosing SHSU was the best decision for
my future.”
Learn more about SHSU COCJ’s pathways at TSC
and STC.
- End -
This article was originally published on Sam Houston State University's website.