MARCH 7, 2026
WELCOME BEARKATS
Dear Future Bearkats and Guests,
Welcome to Saturday@SAM! We are glad you are here to experience some of what makes Sam Houston State University a great place to learn, live, and make connections. Today you will tour campus, meet future peers at the student organization fair, and hear from faculty and staff who will support you on your Bearkat journey Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You probably have your own definition of what the “college experience” should be. You may see it only as an opportunity to study hard and get a degree; you might see it as one big social experience. My hope is that your college experience is somewhere in between. College is more than just a path to a degree; it’s an opportunity to explore the world around you and build a foundation on which to live the life you want to live.
What you learn along the way will last you a lifetime. You’ll also make friends here that will last a lifetime.
Know that as you navigate the life of a college student, Sam Houston State faculty and staff want you to be successful and are here to support you.
Our motto, “The Measure of a Life is its Service,” provides a meaningful standard by which we can evaluate ourselves as people of purpose who provide value to others. During your time at SHSU, you will have opportunities to put the motto into action by participating in activities you value and serving our community.
I hope you get a real sense of the Sam Houston State University experience today and that your visit is everything you want it to be.
Welcome to Huntsville and Sam Houston State University. Eat ‘em up, Kats!
Alisa White, President Sam Houston State University
4 5 6 –7 8 9 10 11 12 - 13
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
OPEN HOUSES / TABLING ADMISSIONS & FINANCIAL AID
ACADEMIC OVERVIEWS
RESIDENCE LIFE INFORMATION & ACADEMIC FAIR CAMPUS TOURS
COLLEGE TERMS
CONTACT US
JOIN ZEEMEE
NOTES
ZeeMee is a social app where you can bring your college application to life through videos, group chats, and posts! Scan here and follow SHSU to get started.
INTERESTED IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES?
VISIT GIBBS RANCH
Noon & 1:00 p.m.
1143 TX-75, Huntsville, TX 77320
Come tour our 1,500+ acre working ranch that serves the Agricultural Sciences programs as well as the Rodeo and Equestrian teams.
INTERESTED IN NURSING?
VISIT THE SCHOOL OF NURSING
1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
3380 College Park Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77384
Stop by The Woodlands Campus and discover how our School of Nursing is defining new ways of teaching excellence and promoting hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art facilities!
7:45 to 9:15 a.m.
Check-In
8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Campus Tours (last tour departs at 9am)
8:00 & 9:00 a.m.
Admissions and Financial Aid
9:45 to 10:25 a.m.
Academic Overview #1
10:40 to 11:20 a.m.
Academic Overview #2
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Residence Life Open Houses and Campus Tours
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Admissions & Financial Aid Applications
Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Information and Academic Fair
DINING OPTIONS
Lowman Student Center
7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Starbucks
7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Chick-fil-A
7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Panda Express
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Subway
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
POD (Grab & Go)
All Day
OPEN HOUSES & TABLING
PARKER PLAZA
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
→ Admissions
→ Career Success Center
→ Financial Aid & Scholarships
→ Honors College
→ Jack Staggs Counseling Clinic
→ Military Science – ROTC
→ Registrar
→ Residence Life
→ SAM Center – Advising
→ SH Hospitality – Dining
→ SHSU Online
→ Student Account Services
→ Student Money Management
→ Testing Center
→ University Police Department
→ Veterans Benefits Processing
OPEN HOUSES
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
→ Campus Activities & Involvement
LSC | 215
→ Campus Store LSC
→ Newton Gresham Library (NGL)
→ IRIS Suite (English & Technical Writing Students) Evans | 251 | Noon to 2:00 p.m.
ADMISSIONS & FINANCIAL AID
SESSIONS OFFERED AT 8:00 A.M. & 9:00 A.M.
ENGLISH
LSC | Orange Ballroom
Scan the QR code to access the Admissions/Financial Aid presentation.
SPANISH
LSC | 242
Scan the QR code to access the Admissions/Financial Aid presentation.
COME VISIT US! Admissions & Financial Aid Applications
→ Newton Gresham Library
→ 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW #1
These sessions are your chance to meet faculty and staff to learn more about degree programs and the academic experience.
9:45 TO 10:25 A.M.
Agricultural Sciences
ABIV | Olson Auditorium
Art
Hoyt Art Complex | 219 A & B
Bilingual Health Care Studies
LSC | 115
Biological Sciences & Biomedical Sciences
CHSS | 140
Business Administration
LSC | Orange Ballroom
Chemistry & Forensic Chemistry
CFS | 103
Communication Studies
CHSS | 410
Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering
ABI | 204
Criminal Justice
CJ Center | Killinger Auditorium
Dance
GPAC | Dance Theatre
Data Science, Math & Stats
LDB | 212
Dietetic (Master’s, Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Education (all majors)
CHSS | C090
Engineering Technology
LDB | 216
English
CHSS | 220
Environmental & Geosciences
LDB | 339
Fashion Merchandising (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Film & TV Production
Dan Rather Comm. Bldg. | 125
Food Science & Nutrition (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Food Service Management (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
History
CHSS | 210
Human Performance & Wellness Mngmt.
LDB | 214
Integrated Studies
CHSS | 242 B
Interior Design (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Kinesiology
LDB | 214
Mass Communication
Dan Rather Comm. Bldg. | 125
BUILDING LEGEND
AB1: Academic Building 1
ABIV: Academic Building 4
CHSS: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
CFS: Chemistry & Forensic Science Building
GPAC: Gaertner Performing Arts Center
ESTC: Erica Starr Theatre
LDB: Lee Drain Building
Music
GPAC | Concert Hall
Nursing
LSC | Theatre
Philosophy
CHSS | 249
Physics & Astronomy
LDB | 215
Political Science
CHSS | 242 A
Pre-Engineering (Mech., Elect., Civil)
LDB | 215
Pre-Law
CHSS | 252
Pre-Med/Pre-Health
CHSS | 110
Psychology
CHSS | C070
Public Health
LSC | 115
Sociology
CHSS | 226
Theatre & Musical Theatre
ESTC
Undecided
LSC | 230
World Languages & Cultures
CHSS | 206
LSC: Lowman Student Center
Pirkle: Fred Pirkle Engineering Technology
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW #2
10:40 TO 11:20 A.M.
Ag. Business
Pirkle | 210 B/C
Ag. Engineering Technology
Pirkle | 300 A
Animal Science (Including Pre-Vet)
ABIV | Olson Auditorium
Animation
Hoyt Art Complex | 219 A & B
Bilingual Health Care Studies
LSC | 115
Biological Sciences & Biomedical Sciences
CHSS | 140
Business Administration
LSC | Orange Ballroom
Chemistry & Forensic Chemistry
CFS | 103
CJ & Criminology
CJ Center | Killinger Auditorium
Communication Studies
CHSS | 410
Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering
ABI | 204
Construction Management
Pirkle | 100
Dance
GPAC | Dance Theatre
Data Science, Math & Stats
LDB | 212
Dietetics (Master’s, Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Education (all majors)
CHSS | C090
Electronics & Computer
Engineering Technology
Pirkle | 220
English
CHSS | 220
Engineering Design Technology
Pirkle | 240
Engineering Technology –
Architectural Design Technology
Pirkle | 210 A
Engineering Technology –
Biomedical Engineering Technology
Pirkle | 142
Engineering Technology –Electronics
Pirkle | 220
Engineering Technology –
Environmental, Health, & Safety Management
Pirkle | 430
Engineering Technology –
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
LDB | 216
Environmental & Geosciences
LDB | 339
Fashion Merchandising (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Film & TV Production
Dan Rather Comm. Bldg. | 125
Food Science & Nutrition (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Food Service Management (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Graphic Design
Hoyt Art Complex | 318 C
History
CHSS | 210
Homeland Security Studies
CJ Center | Kerper Courtroom
Human Performance & Wellness Mngmt.
LDB | 214
Integrated Studies
CHSS | 242 B
Interdisciplinary Ag., Ag. Teacher Certification
Pirkle | 320
Interior Design (Human Sciences)
LDB | 220
Kinesiology
LDB | 214
Mass Communication
Dan Rather Comm. Bldg. | 125
Mechanical Engineering
Technology
Pirkle | 242
Music
GPAC | Concert Hall
Nursing
LSC | Theatre
Philosophy
CHSS | 249
Photography
Hoyt Art Complex | 421
Physics & Astronomy
LDB | 215
Plant & Soil Sciences
Pirkle | 300 B
Political Science
CHSS | 242 A
Pre-Engineering (Mech., Elect., Civil)
LDB | 215
Pre-Law
CHSS | 252
Pre-Med/Pre-Health
CHSS | 110
Psychology
CHSS | C070
Public Health
LSC | 115
Sociology
CHSS | 226
Studio Art
Hoyt Art Complex | 105
Theatre & Musical Theatre
ESTC
Undecided LSC | 230
Victim Studies
CJ Center | Flag Room
World Languages & Cultures
CHSS | 206
RESIDENCE LIFE
OPEN HOUSES & SHOWROOMS
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
You’ll find a variety of living options to suit your needs at SHSU. We offer both female-only and co-ed residence halls that are fully furnished, as well as small houses and apartments. If you’re interested in the Honors College or specific majors, you can apply to live in one of our living communities, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and form deeper relationships with your professors. All first-year students who have been out of high school for less than a year are required to live in university housing and participate in the university meal plan.
IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING
GO VISIT
Belvin-Buchanan Hall (CAM Majors)
→ 2 per Bedroom / 4 per Restroom
→ Co-ed Halls (Except Estill Hall)
Upgraded Traditional
→ 2 per Bedroom / 4 per Restroom
→ Co-ed Halls Traditional
Estill Hall (Female Only)
White Hall (Unique Floor Plan)
SHUTTLE SERVICE
Piney Woods Hall
San Jacinto Hall
→ 2 per Bedroom / 2 per Restroom
→ Co-ed Hall Private
→ 2 Single Rooms / 2 per Restroom
→ Co-ed Halls
Lone Star Hall
See map for shuttle pick-up/drop-off locations. Shuttle service provided by:
Jackson-Shaver Hall
Raven Village
Sam Houston Village
INFORMATION & ACADEMIC FAIR
CAMPUS TOURS
English & Spanish Tours 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
English Tours
→ 30 minutes
Spanish Tours
→ 45 minutes
Campus walking tours will begin at the tent near the Bell Tower. Tours will go out every 15 minutes.
Visit with student organizations and the following campus resources and departments in Frank Parker Plaza!
DEPARTMENTS
& ORGANIZATIONS
Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Academic Success Center
Access & Retention Programs - ELITE
Athletics
Bearkat Marching Band
Campus Recreation
Counseling Center
Disability Services
First-Generation Center
First-Year Experience
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Freshmen Leadership Program
Global Engagement Center Programs - Study Abroad
HR - Student Employment
Lowman Student Center
Music - Choir
New Student Orientation
Pre-Health Professionals
Shop Sam Houston
Student & Family Experience
Student Health Center
Student Wellness
TRiO Student Support Services
University Hotel
INFORMATION FAIR
Scan the QR Code to see the full list of current student organizations!
ACADEMIC COLLEGES
→ College of Arts & Media
→ College of Business Administration
→ College of Criminal Justice
→ College of Education
→ College of Health Sciences
→ College of Humanities & Social Sciences
→ College of Science & Engineering Technology
→ College of Osteopathic Medicine
→ Polytechnic College
COLLEGE TERMS
Below are some words that you may hear used in your Saturday@SAM sessions and as you start your college journey.
Academic Advisor
A staff member who will help students choose majors/minors and help determine which classes are needed.
ApplyTexas
College application used for all public universities in Texas.
Bachelor’s Degree
A four-year undergraduate degree.
Credits/Credit Hour
Measure of class time/# of hours a student spends in a class.
Degree Program
The combination of any major/minor that a student chooses and what is required to graduate.
Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
An application used by students to apply to receive federal funding/financial assistance for college.
First-Generation Student
A student whose parent/guardian did not graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The average of a student’s final grades in all courses.
Higher Education
Refers to any formal schooling after high school.
Major
Focus area of study for a degree program.
Minor
Secondary area of study, requires less credits than a major.
Texas Application For State Financial Aid (TASFA)
An application for students who are Texas Residents but do not qualify for federal aid (ex. DACA).
Transfer
To earn credits at one college or university and move them to another.
Tuition
Cost of college classes, usually paid per credit hour.
Undergraduate
A student who has not yet earned a Bachelor’s degree.
Scan here for more college and SHSU campus terms, and Google Translate for Spanish.
CONTACT US
Below is a list of common departments for your future reference.
Please note that offices will not be answering phones during Saturday@SAM.
Academic Advising
→ 936.294.4444
CHSS Building, SAM Center
Admissions
→ 936.294.1828
Visitor Center | 2nd Floor
Bearkat OneCard (Student ID)
→ 936.294.2273
Estill Building | 103
Campus Activities & Involvement
→ 936.294.3861
Lowman Student Center (LSC) | 215
Campus Recreation
→ 936.294.1985
Campus Recreation Center
Campus Store
→ 936.294.1864
Lowman Student Center (LSC)
Cashier’s Office
→ 936.294.1083
Estill Building | 103
Counseling Center
→ 936.294.1720
Health & Counseling Center
Financial Aid & Scholarships
→ 936.294.1774
Estill Building | 201
First-Generation Center
→ 936.294.3006
LSC | 317
First-Year Experience and Freshman Learning Communities
→ 936.294.3422
CHSS | 190
Health Center
→ 936.294.1805
Health & Counseling Center
Honors College
→ 936.294.1477
AB IV | 202
Military Science (Army ROTC)
→ 936.294.4994
New Student Orientation
→ 936.294.1844
Visitor Center | 1st Floor
Registrar/Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
→ 936.294.1040
Estill Building | 3rd Floor
Residence Life
→ 936.294.1812
Lone Star Hall
Services for Students with Disabilities
→ 936.294.3512
Lee Drain Annex
Student Money Management
→ 936.294.2600
Estill Building | 112
Testing Center
→ 936.294.1025
AB IV | 102
Veterans Benefits Processing
→ 936.294.1440
Estill | 228
Veterans & Military-Connected Center
→ 936.294.1046
LSC | 327
OFFICE HOURS
Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
NOTES
NOTES
THANK YOU!
Thanks for spending your day with us!
We hope that you got your questions answered and enjoyed meeting all of our helpful Bearkats. Our faculty and staff will be here all along the way to support you through your college journey.
VISIT SHSU
Come back to campus any time!
We have full Campus Tours in English and Spanish, and Transfer Tours. You can also attend a Preview Day for your specific academic area to spend a day-in-the-life of a student!
STAY CONNECTED
SEE YOU SOON
JOIN ZEEMEE
Connect with SHSU on ZeeMee to chat with our Admissions student team and stay informed about upcoming deadlines and events. You can also connect with other new Bearkats.