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 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.”
  • 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."