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 Student Spotlight. This program recognizes the extraordinary achievements, accomplishments, and activities of our undergraduate students.

Current Student Spotlight:

  • Student headshot.

    May 2023: Aaron Davis

    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!).

    Aaron chose to major in Sociology because he wanted a better understanding of public policy, one informed by empirical sociological evidence on how societies and people function.  He can envision his degree as a stepping stone to work in teaching, public policy, international affairs, or even rabbinical school.

    All best wishes, Aaron, wherever your Sociology degree may take you!

Previous Student Spotlights

  • April 2023: Arufa Hossain
    4/2/23
    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
    3/1/23
    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
    2/1/23
    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
    1/1/23
    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.
  • December 2022: Janayia Capers
    12/1/22
    Growing up, Janayia Capers saw the effect that crime has on communities, and was very aware of racial inequalities, especially in the criminal justice system.  She chose to major in Sociology to learn more about how to address such issues. 
  • November 2022: Luke Simonton
    11/1/22
    A high school forensic science class first piqued Luke Simonton’s interest in Criminology.  Now a UB Crim major, Luke plans to pursue a career in the criminal justice system, to improve the system itself and help as many people as possible. 
  • October 2022: KJ Johnson
    10/3/22
    Most UB students are pretty busy, but Criminology major KJ (Kiara) Johnson just might be busier than most.  Not only is she a member of the UB Bulls basketball team, but she is a mother to an infant son.