Individualized Major: Criminal Behavior

Graduation Date: May 2025

Why Individualized? I chose to do an individualized major to give myself a holistic experience in understanding behavior. The deeper I dive into my studies, the more I understand that everything that someone does influences their internal cognition and their external behaviors. Being an individualized major allowed me to analyze behavior from all perspectives to ultimately determine what makes people act in "criminal" ways.

Most memorable course or project from your major? There have been so many great opportunities that it's hard to pick just one! So therefore, I'll pick two. First, my internship with NCIS, which you can hear all about on the podcast - it gave me a realistic understanding of how law enforcement actually functions versus the ways it is dramatized on TV. Second, my research with Dr. Talbert in the Health Equity Lab. It has allowed me to further see and demonstrate the necessity for one's involvement in society. These hands-on experiences gave me an understanding of how societies function beyond a classroom understanding.

An individual who inspired you? Here are some short shoutouts to a few of the people that have inspired me throughout my lifetime: my team at NCIS this summer for giving me such a great internship experience, my Middle School Gateway to Technology teacher, Mr. Natalino, for sparking my interest in the subject, Dr. Bradley Wright for teaching me how to find my purpose and calling in life, Dr. Ryan Talbert for being a phenomenal PI and encouraging me to not sell myself short, Trisha Hawthorne-Noble for guiding me through significant leadership growth, and my family for continually pushing me towards academic, social, and personal greatness.

Future plans? Short term, I plan to study the effects of public policy and leadership on criminology - hopefully, this will culminate in a Master's degree (or two). Long term, I hope to work in management of Federal Law Enforcement to provide and implement true equitable safety for all people that call America home.

Episode Transcript