JED Campus
JED Campus at SHSU
Sam Houston State University became a JED Campus starting August 2024. As part of JED Campus, SHSU is engaging in a 4-year partnership with the Jed Foundation to evaluate and strengthen our programs and systems that support student mental health. SHSU joins nearly 500 campuses across the nation who are proud members of the JED Campus program!
JED Campus - Year 1 Recap
Sam Houston State University has just completed Year 1 of the four-year JED Campus program. In year 1, the SHSU JED Campus strategic task force focused on assessment and strategic planning. You can find more information by clicking the items below.
Sam Houston State University conducted three different assessment strategies during Year 1:
- SHSU partnered with JED Campus and the University of Michigan to launch the Healthy Minds Study (HMS) to a random sample of 12,000 student Bearkats in Fall 2024. The response rate was 5.8%, which is typical for this type of survey.
- SHSU’s JED Campus advisor hosted a student focus group in Spring 2025. Nine students were recruited and participated, which is a typical size for a focus group
- The SHSU JED Campus strategic task force conducted a SWOT analysis of all programs, services, policies and procedures related to mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention.
Healthy Minds Study data:
- 87% agree that students’ mental and emotional well-being are priority at SHSU
- 82% agree that if they feel sad or depressed, they tend to keep those feelings to themselves
- 89% indicated that if they needed to seek professional help for their mental or emotional health, they would know where to go on campus
Focus group data:
- SHSU is effective at connecting students through programming; however, more programming within their specific fields of study would be beneficial to increase social connectedness.
- Staff and faculty are willing to work with students to help them when they indicate they are struggling.
- SHSU has a variety of resources available to students, but it can sometimes be difficult to navigate them.
SHSU’s JED Campus advisor had an on-site visit with the strategic task force, as well as executive leadership, to review data, tour campus, and brainstorm strategic priorities. The task force has received the initial strategic plan from the JED Campus advisor and will be meeting over the Summer to determine priorities moving into Year 2.
JED Campus co-chairs will continue to update the campus community on the progress of the task force throughout the 4-year program. Keep an eye out for updates!
In Years 2 & 3, the JED Campus strategic task force, along with campus partners, will begin development and implementation of action items related to mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention efforts at SHSU.
In Year 4, SHSU will engage in evaluation of the program, including a second administration of the Healthy Minds Study and another SWOT analysis of campus systems related to mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention. JED Campus will continue to work with SHSU and the task force to create a sustainability plan to ensure that the work continues!
Strategic task force members
Sam Houston State University has developed an interdisciplinary, campus-wide task force that represents students, faculty, and staff. The task force meets regularly to assess, support, and implement programs, policy, and system improvements.
Co-Chairs:
- Lindsey Lopez, Director, Student Wellness
- Dr. Maribeth Jorgensen, Assistant Dean for Research and Faculty Development, Professor, Counselor Education
Members:
- Dr. Robert Williams, Medical Director, Student Health Center
- Kodie Henscheid, Director, Counseling Center
- Kyle Ashton, Director, Residence Life
- Lisa Shen, Librarian, Associate Professor, Newton Gresham Library
- Dr. Meredith Conrey, Director, CARE Network
- Chris Thompson, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Athletics
- Jalon Berry, Executive Director, Strategic Retention Initiatives
- Dr. Lonnie Booker, Director, Emergency Management
- Luis Grado, Director, Environmental Health & Safety
- Emilee White, Assistant Director of Content & Social Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
- Hannah Jones, Student Affairs Specialist, College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Dr. Karen Nelson, Assistant Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Dr. Kelly Zinn, Clinical Professor, School of Nursing
- Dr. Helen Berg, Associate Dean, College of Education
- Dr. Li-Jen Lester, Associate Dean, College of Science, Engineering, and Technology
- Dr. Maria Botero, (Interim) Chair, Psychology & Philosophy
- Dr. Trevor England, Associate Professor, College of Business Administration
- Dr. Jane Daquin, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
- Dr. Diane Stoebner-May, Professor, Psychology
- Adeli 'Minet' Cortez, Student, Doctorate - Counselor Education
- Sofia Armenta, Student, Master's - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Emrys Acosta, Student, Bachelor's - Psychology
- Misha Hassan, Student, Master's - Public Health
JED Campus Subcommittees
SHSU's JED Campus Task Force developed 6 subcommittees based on the action items listed in the JED strategic plan. Committee members and charge items are listed below.
Members: Lindsey Lopez (chair), Maribeth Jorgensen, Kyle Ashton, Lisa Shen, Rachel Valle, Minet Cortez, Helen Berg, Diane Stoebner-May
Charge Items: Develop new policies and/or update existing policies as identified in the strategic plan. Create language for a medical leave of absence policy. Research and develop postvention plan. Work with the Research and Grant subcommittee for any data gathering needs.
Members: Maribeth Jorgensen (Chair), Meredith Conrey, Nesi Lillard, Kodie Henscheid, Robert Williams, Sofia Armenta
Charge items: Establish coordination of care across multiple departments. Develop plan to implement screenings for substance misuse and mental health issues outside of clinical appointments. Research and develop gatekeeper trainings for faculty/staff. Research local recovery supports and create MOU’s for students seeking treatment. Work with the Research and Grant subcommittee for data gathering needs.
Members: Luis Grado (Chair), Lonnie Booker, Kyle Ashton, Lisa Shen
Charge Items: Facilitate environmental scan by connecting with appropriate campus resources and address any issues related to means safety. Develop a list of sites on campus that need hope signage. Develop a written plan to reduce anchor points in residence halls.
Members: Sinem Akay-Sullivan (Chair), Jalon Berry, Maria Botero, Brandon Cooper, Li-Jen Lester
Charge Items: Assist other subcommittees related to any data collection needs, survey development, etc. Identify grants to support JED Task Force missions. Apply for internal SHSU grant to support the gatekeeping training and other needs of the JED Task Force.
Members: Karen Nelson (Chair), Kelly Zinn, Hannah Jones, Misha Hassan
Charge Items: Review JED strategic plan and identify action items needed for the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine & SHSU School of Nursing. Develop and implement processes within these programs.
Members: Emilee White (Chair), Lindsey Lopez, Maribeth Jorgensen
Charge Items: Create and share with the committee co-chairs a marketing plan for regular dissemination of information about the JED Task Force happenings, needed information for mass communications, etc.