It began with a question that often lingers beneath the surface of criminology: how do individual choices intersect with systems to shape who is labeled a criminal, and why? For Alexa Frankel, a senior majoring in Criminology, that question became a guiding thread throughout her time at the University of Iowa.
Frankel arrived at the University of Iowa from Bettendorf, Iowa, with an early interest in the criminal justice system, especially the motivations behind crime. Over time, that interest expanded into a broader sociological perspective—one that considers how institutions, inequality, and social structures shape both criminal behavior and societal responses to it. Her early coursework in criminology helped shift her thinking from individual explanations of crime toward a deeper understanding of the structural forces behind it.
A particularly influential experience came in Global Criminology with Professor Zaloznaya during her first year. The course left a lasting impression, not only because of its intellectual rigor, but because of the way it pushed her to think beyond national boundaries. Topics such as genocide, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism were discussed as part of larger global systems rather than isolated events.
Frankel’s intellectual curiosity eventually led to an internship with the United Macedonian Diaspora in Washington, D.C. There, she supported initiatives aimed at increasing Macedonian visibility in U.S. policy discussions and conducted research on Macedonia’s relationships with the United Nations and the European Union. The experience provided a concrete connection between academic study and policy work, deepening her interest in international affairs and global justice issues.
Other defining experiences in Frankel’s academic journey included serving as a College Transition Workshop Leader and Undergraduate Teaching Assistant. She was drawn to both roles because of her desire to support students facing the same uncertainties she once experienced. Both experiences strengthened her commitment to student support and engagement.
Beyond the classroom, Frankel has been actively involved across campus. She has served as Vice President of Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity, participated on the University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums Student Advisory Board, acted as an ambassador for the Department of Sociology and Criminology, and served on the University of Iowa Parking and Transportation Committee. Her academic accomplishments include membership in Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society and the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
As graduation approaches, Frankel plans to pursue work as a legal assistant prior to applying to law school, while continuing to explore long-term career directions in law and public service.