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 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.”
  • February 2016: Charles Decarlo
    7/3/24
    After initially studying nutrition and economics early in his college career, Charles discovered sociology. He says of his decision to become a sociology major, “entering into sociology was by far the best decision I’ve made in college. .. I feel as though I have developed a unique way of thinking and an overall sense of maturity and open mindedness from studying sociology." He enjoys being a sociology major because, “the people within the major genuinely enjoy what they're studying and are sincerely passionate about making a difference."
  • January 2016: Alejandro Corona Espinosa
    7/3/24
    Alejandro is a double major in Sociology and Psychology. He says he chose both majors because he thinks “these two different perspectives complement each other really well, and being able to see different issues through both of these lenses allows you to get a broader, and many times more accurate, picture.”
  • December 2015: Katie Flynn
    7/3/24
    Katie changed her major to sociology after taking the Sociology of Food in London. She said: “I truly fell in love with the idea of studying our world and the complex social processes within it.” Katie says she enjoys her sociology classes because “learning from professors who absolutely love what they are teaching allows them to bring forth interesting classroom experiences that I have rarely found elsewhere.”
  • November 2015: Kristin Waldby
    7/3/24
    Kristin came to sociology after taking 101 as a prerequisite for her other major. Her sociology classes have not only given her “an entirely new perspective on the world,” but have also inspired her to seek a career in health education, health communication, or clinical mental health counseling . Kristin’s career path was motivated by the social and economic health inequalities that she learned about in her courses. She says that she wants to do what she can to “help educate individuals on their health and harm reduction strategies to try to reduce some health disparities.”