Professor Bodi Vasi wondered how sociologists choose their profession. Not many, he thought, grew up wanting to be a sociologist instead of a YouTuber or an astronaut. He asked two professors and two graduate students in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Here’s what they said….

Our newest assistant professor of sociology and criminology, Dr. Amber Joy Powell, has already made a significant contribution to our department’s vibrant intellectual culture.

In Professor Louise Seamster’s innovative class, Racial Wealth Gap: Black Debt/White Debt, students analyze an important social problem and then work to help solve it.

Sociology professor Freda Lynn took part in the seminar as an instructor.

Current undergraduates Bretli Reyna and Abe Assad and recent graduate Max Murin attended the banquet.

Dr. Powell will attend for three weeks starting in June of this year and have the opportunity to work with other scholars within the field. 

PhD candidate Yujia Lyu’s research paper was selected as the winner of this year’s Midwest Sociological Society Graduate Student Paper Competition.

The association's primary purpose is to facilitate the professional development of graduate students as rising scholars within the discipline.

The brief was in support of the Biden Administration’s student debt relief program.