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 2017: Richard Patti
    7/3/24
    Richard is majoring in Sociology, Political Science and Anthropology. He says he chose sociology because “I felt that being a sociology major would put me in a position where I would be able to spend the rest of my life helping people by solving the problems of inequality that plague our society.” Richard’s main research interests are in poverty and income inequality.
  • December 2016: Julia Schoonover
    7/3/24
    When asked why she decided to become a sociology major, Julia said, “Through sociology we begin to ask ourselves more questions. While searching for those answers we obtain powerful insights into the social processes that shape our everyday lives.” Between serving as president of the undergraduate sociology club and writing an honor’s thesis in sociology, Julia is one of our most engaged undergraduate students.
  • November 2016: Abigail Squicciarini
    7/3/24
    Abigail says that she enjoys studying sociology because “Sociology provides insight and provokes questions about societies and environments that aid in shaping us as individuals. I chose this major because it is one of the only areas I have studied that makes me excited to learn and discover more.” Abigail has enjoyed all of the classes she has taken in the sociology department. She says, “It is an awesome experience learning from individuals who are so passionate about their area of study. This makes being a sociology major that much more inspiring and interesting at UB.”
  • October 2016: Natasha Clark
    7/3/24
    Natasha says that her favorite part of being a sociology major is the class discussions. In describing her classes, she said: “learning in and out of the classroom everyday has made me love sociology even more.” Natasha said she knew sociology was the right major for her because it “took me outside of my normal thinking in everyday life and placed me into a world that was bigger than myself."
  • May 2016: Madison Trammell
    7/3/24
    Madison became a sociology major after taking some sociology classes in his first two years at UB. He said: “I found it extremely interesting to study things that affect my everyday life but typically never think about.” He says he enjoys his sociology coursework because: “I feel that it is very important to study communities and cultures different from your own because you will not always be having interactions with people exactly the same as you.”
  • April 2016: Tom Siskar
    7/3/24
    Tom chose to become a sociology major because of his interests in urban studies and public policy. In addition to sociology, he is also majoring in Economics and Urban and Public Policy Studies. This semester, Tom is studying sociology in London through the UB Semester in London Program.
  • March 2016: Laurice Wilbert
    7/3/24
    Laurice says she loves being a sociology major because “sociology makes you question everything you take for granted.” She is particularly interested in studying diversity, wealth and poverty. She says she enjoys her sociology classes because “my professors are passionate for what they are teaching. Their enthusiasm is infectious and I am always looking forward to lectures.”