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:

  • Sarah.

    January 2025: Sarah Lee Jasmi

    Please congratulate Sarah Lee Jasmi, our newest Sociology & Criminology Rising Star! Sarah was nominated (from our Singapore campus) for their top performance in their upper-level courses, high levels of engagement as a student, passion for sociology and communication, as well as their impressive leadership qualities.

    When asked about their Sociology and Criminology classes, Sarah stated: What I appreciate most about my sociology and criminology courses is how they challenge me to think critically about social structures, policies, and systemic inequalities. The interdisciplinary nature of these classes, especially when intersecting with communication studies, has deepened my understanding of societal issues and their real-world implications. I also value the engaging discussions and diverse perspectives that my professors and peers bring to the classroom.

    Congratulations Sarah, and thanks for all of your great work!

Previous Rising Stars

  • October 2023: Sam Daponte
    7/3/24
    We are pleased to introduce Sam Daponte as our October 2023 Student Spotlight Award Winner! Originally unsure of a major, Sam found his calling after completing Introduction to Sociology. Sam notes, “the key concepts, theories, and ideas I was introduced to fostered a new chapter in my life.” In the future, Sam plans on pursuing a graduate degree in Sociology.
  • September 2023: Emily Sweeney
    7/3/24
    We are pleased to introduce Emily Sweeney as our September 2023 Student Spotlight Award Winner! Emily is currently pursuing a degree in criminology and psychology, with an anticipated graduation date of 2025. Emily chose to major in criminology because “I was really interested in the way that individuals interact with each other and how the systems/institutions around us shape our behavior."
  • May 2023: Aaron Davis
    7/3/24
    Our May Spotlight Student, Aaron Davis, hails from Albany, but wasted no time in forming a community here in Buffalo.  In his first year at UB he was already hosting open mic nights at the local Hillel.  Now wrapping up his sophomore year, he continues to be active in the Jewish community, while staying busy with his Sociology/English double major and Spanish minor (and rooting for the Mets!).
  • April 2023: Arufa Hossain
    7/3/24
    Do you recognize the building in the background of this photo of Arufa Hossain, our April Spotlight Student?  Yes, that’s the U.S. Capitol Building!  Arufa, a UB Criminology major, is currently serving as an LGBTQ+ Victory Institute Congressional Intern in Washington, D.C., where she works in Congressman Adam Schiff's office at the House of Representatives. 
  • March 2023: Alexis Harrell
    7/3/24
    If you read UBNow emails, then you’ve already heard about our March 2023 Spotlight Student, Alexis Harrell.  Alexis was recently awarded a super-competitive Marshall scholarship to do graduate work in the U.K.  She will pursue an MSc in Narrative Futures: Art, Data, Society at the University of Edinburgh, followed by an MSc in Psychology of the Arts, Neuroaesthetics, and Creativity at Goldsmiths, University of London.
  • February 2023: Will Escalera Pinet
    7/3/24
    Our February Spotlight Student, Will Escalera Pinet, decided to major in Sociology because of her interests in how people interact in society, and how the urban landscape shapes society.  Will’s learning was not restricted to the Buffalo campus:  In spring 2022, she spent a semester abroad in South Korea.  She credits this experience, combined with a Sociology of Global Society class she took, with introducing her to a new perspective on social action.
  • January 2023: Sydney Sanders
    7/3/24
    Our January Spotlight Student, Sydney Sanders, is a Sociology and PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) double major.  Sydney chose these majors because she wants to help address economic and racial disparities within the criminal justice system.  After graduating in May, Sydney plans to apply to law schools, to continue working toward her goal of making a difference in criminal justice reform.