By Arina Garcia
Sam Houston State University
On Dec.12, Alyssa Barrientos was the first student to receive a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) through the SHSU-Texas Southmost College (TSC) Pathway.
The first-generation Brownsville, Texas, native chose SHSU for its commitment to student success, accessibility and community.
“It’s a place where students are supported and encouraged to grow,” Barrientos said. “When I became aware that TSC partnered with SHSU, I was immediately very interested and excited about the partnership that would allow me to obtain my degree through a school I had always dreamed of attending.”
In 2024, SHSU expanded its criminal justice program to Brownsville, offering in-person courses taught by SHSU instructors in a satellite classroom at TSC’s Tandy Hall. The collaboration led to a new educational model designed to eliminate geographic barriers that hinder student success.
