Abbie Strunc, Ph.D.

age: 39 | University Professor and Department Chair | Sam Houston State University

“I work in educator preparation, and it’s so important to me,” Dr. Abbie Strunc explains.  “Texas has 5.5 million students enrolled in K-12 public schools across the state. They all deserve a quality educator who is prepared to guide and support their education.”

Before becoming a university professor and department chair at Sam Houston State University, Abbie worked at Texas A&M University-Texarkana for six years.  Her greatest professional accomplishment is earning tenure this year.  She admits that it has been a fun, but long journey, and she is very proud of the work she put in as part of this process.

Personally, Abbie’s family means the world to her.  Married to John, they have three children: Wesley (13), and Emma and Audrey (9).  “I’m so proud of my kids and who they are growing up to be,” she says.  “Watching them grow into the people they are meant to be is my greatest gift.”

Although she hasn’t been able to travel much recently, Abbie loves exploring new places and meeting new people.  She has served as vice-president of PG Connection for two years and joined Women for A&M-Texarkana to give back to a community that supports the regional need for a university.  She admits, “Texarkana’s collaborative educational community is one of the area’s greatest strengths.”  

Because she is so focused and attentive to her career choice, Abbie sees herself continuing to serve educators in Texas in educator preparation for many years to come.

Best piece of advice:

“There is no such thing as never or always.”– Stephen Prince, Abbie’s brother

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I once met former President George W. Bush while I was out for a jog. When we lived in the Dallas area, some friends and I used to do long training runs on Saturday mornings at a nearby state park. We were out one Saturday morning, and he (George W.) came to ride some of the mountain bike trails. Such a random meeting, but I have the grainy, sweaty picture to prove it.”