Meet Our Students

Based on faculty and instructor nominations to the Undergraduate Studies Committee, the department chooses one undergraduate major  to feature in our monthly Sociology & Criminology Rising Star. This program recognizes the extraordinary achievements, accomplishments, and activities of our undergraduate students.

Current Rising Star:

  • kay.

    November 2024: Kay Wu

    Please congratulate Kay Wu, our newest Sociology & Criminology Rising Star! Kay was nominated for making a huge difference in the quality of a Soc/Crim course this semester while serving as a Teaching Assistant.

    When asked what they enjoy most about their Sociology and Criminology classes, Kay stated: I first took SOC 101 with Professor Sarah Ford during my freshman year and enjoyed it so much that I added sociology as a minor. My interest continued to grow, and eventually, I changed it to a major, making me a double major in psychology and sociology. Sociology has given me a well-rounded understanding of social structures and interactions, which complements my psychology studies by enhancing my perspective on individual behavior and mental processes. 

    In addition, Kay also stated: I appreciate the approachable and supportive faculty members. Their commitment to fostering a collaborative and open learning environment has made my experience in the department very positive. I also value sociology's flexibility, allowing students like me with varied interests to bring together insights from multiple disciplines.

    Congratulations Kay, and thanks for all your great work!

Previous Rising Stars

  • February 2019: Sara Gunkel
    7/3/24
    Sara started out as a Psychology major at UB but ultimately decided to add Sociology as a major. She describes her decision to doublemajor this way: “I found myself drawn to Sociology courses in my elective choices. With each successive class, my interest in the field grew. I began to feel a synergy between the things I was learning in Psychology and the wider application of many of those concepts to communities and human populations through Sociology. The questions that Sociology asks, the concepts that I learned and the research that I read drew me to the field.”
  • December 2018: Bryan Guevara
    7/3/24
    When asked why he became a sociology major, Bryan explained: “I am a sociology major because I am interested in the social justice problems that my community in Brooklyn, New York is experiencing, such as gentrification. Sociology is my way of understanding the reasons for and consequences of what my community is undergoing. It is through understanding that proper action can be taken.”
  • November 2018: Marc Duqueney
    7/3/24
    When asked why he became a sociology major, Marc says, “Because I am interested in the social world and how it interplays with individual decisions. Specifically, I am intrigued by how society influences black life in particular.” He goes on to explain, “For instance, I can better understand the relationship between race and criminalization and how those two concepts can be viewed through the lens of institutional discrimination.”
  • October 2018: Jeremy Carr
    7/3/24
    Jeremy chose sociology as a major because he has always been fascinated by society. He explains: “I was most interested in the many social problems that occur and I have always felt somewhat responsible for helping solve and change them.” He thinks his sociology courses have helped him “see outside of the box and see a society for what it is.”
  • May 2018: Matthania Volmy
    7/3/24
    Matthania is a sociology major with a health and society specialization. She says she chose this program of study because she is interested in “doctor-patient interaction within the health care system, healthcare expenditures, and social factors that affect aging.” She says of her major: “I think that what is so great about majoring in Sociology is that there is never a black and white understanding of what a course entails, but rather a gray area which intertwines conflicts in the society by taking a more holistic approach to the problem at hand.”
  • April 2018: Nick Grisanti
    7/3/24
    Nick Grisanti says that he is studying sociology in order to “broaden my understanding of the vast systems of society and culture within which we all spend our days, weeks, months, and years living.” His favorite part of his sociology coursework has been the in-depth class discussions of social issues. He explains: “I love to hear what others have to say on the topics we are discussing as well as what others think of the views I hold on said topics.”
  • March 2018: Nell Kennedy
    7/3/24
    Nell took a sociology seminar in her first semester at UB and decided to become a major. She is the president of the undergraduate sociology club. According to Nell, she really enjoys doing this because “it helps me meet new people and it provides a sense of community among students studying sociology and with students of other majors that are in the club."