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 2018: Halle Datko
    7/3/24
    Halle started UB as a medical technology major. She explains her decision to switch to sociology this way: “I realized that I just wasn't interested in the classes, and I wanted a field of study that gave me more freedom to choose my courses and that focused on thinking more critically about the world around me.” 
  • December 2017: Anna Blatto
    7/3/24
    When asked why she became a sociology major, Anna explains: “After taking a few classes and exploring my options, I discovered I had a passion for cities and how people interact within them. Therefore, I used sociology as an opportunity to learn more about urban environments and the unique interactions that take place.”
  • November 2017: Samantha O'Connor
    7/3/24
    When asked why she chose sociology as a major, Samantha explained: “I chose sociology initially because of my curiosity in the behavior of the society in which I live.” She has enjoyed her courses at UB, including the opportunity to do a semesterlong ethnographic project on dumpster diving. 
  • October 2017: Victoria Fichter
    7/3/24
    Victoria has always been interested in observing and understanding people. She says she enjoys studying sociology because “I feel that sociology truly allowed me to learn more about myself in understanding the vast diversity among races, genders, cultures, and individuals. Especially in today's political climate, I am able to take the knowledge I gained through sociology and realization of the power of peoples' differences into the world.”
  • May 2017: Rylee James
    7/3/24
    When asked why she became a sociology major, Rylee answered: “I desired a discipline that challenged me to approach the world from a more progressive, forward-thinking perspective.” Looking ahead to graduation, she says: “Now, as I move past my undergraduate career, I go forward with the confidence that Sociology has made me a better consumer of knowledge and producer of creative, innovative thinking.”
  • April 2017: Adia Wilson
    7/3/24
    Adia says that she became a sociology major because sociological thinking comes naturally to her. She explains: “Sociology is a an area of study that will never lose its value and that is why I became a sociology major.”
  • March 2017: Taylor Brown
    7/3/24
    After initially intending to study Occupational Therapy, Taylor switched to major in Sociology and Health and Human Services because she is “passionate about helping people in the way a Social Worker helps change people’s realities, by providing resources to help change or cope with a difficult situation.” Taylor says she has enjoyed all of her sociology courses at UB. She explains, “Each of my classes taught me something unique and exposed me to a new facet of sociology.”