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:

  • Simone B.

    April 2025: Simone Brock

    Please congratulate Simone Brock, our newest Sociology & Criminology Rising Star! Simone was nominated based on their accomplishments as one of the leaders of the Buffalo Community Laboratory departmental club, and also because of stellar academic performance in their Sociology courses.

    When asked about their Sociology and Criminology classes, Simone stated: “Sociology and Criminology classes at UB have provided great insight into real world topics that many people acknowledge but don’t fully understand. I’ve most enjoyed connecting with faculty and learning about the many intersections that exist between specific courses.”

    Congratulations Simone, and thanks for all your great work!

Previous Rising Stars

  • 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."
  • 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.”