We asked some of our undergraduate students about their experiences with the Sociology Department thus far - scroll below to read what they have to say!
Emily Saleme is a 3rd year student in Honors Criminology and Public Policy Analysis from Westerville, Ohio.
Emily says she "chose criminology because it fell into my interests throughout my life. As a teenager, I was very interested in mysterious about crime and homicide and wanted to learn more about why crimes are committed. Criminology gives me the opportunity to learn about how the world works from a sociological perspective as well as learn more about the criminal justice system. I also am very interested in the legal aspects of crime and what implications that has on crime in our nation. I paired my major with the Bachelor of Science program in Public Policy Analysis to work to learn about how to create policies that can help our current criminal justice system."
She feels that her favorite part about the OSU Sociology Department is the faculty’s level of compassion for students. She notes, "the faculty I have interacted with really want to help students and encourage their learning. I was able to meet with and learn about many professors and feel their dedication within the classes I am in. Sociology is such an applicable field to many other fields and is interdisciplinary and that has been shown through many of my classes and the use of examples as well as current events in our lectures."
When asked how she takes what she learns from the Sociology Department and applies it outside of the classroom, she responded, "I have supplemented my learning about sociology with internship at AARP Ohio my sophomore year. I was able to see parts of sociology I learned in the classroom in practice with my internship and learned valuable professional skills. AARP is a nonprofit and a lot of the issues it deals with I learned form my sociology classes. I have brought my sociology knowledge to this experience (and more) and have also gathered many professional skills that will help me move into my next stage post-graduation.
LeRoy Ricksy is a 3rd year student in Criminology from New York City, New York.
Thurgood Marshall once said that “a man can make what he wants of himself if he truly believes that he must be ready for hard work and many heartbreaks.” LeRoy shared that he looks up to Marshall and that this quote applies to his own life experiences. Seeing Thurgood Marshall’s influence on the legal field, LeRoy plans to continue on a similar path to create the change he wishes to see in the world. His only solution is to get involved. LeRoy has high aspirations for his future career in the legal field. Reigning from Harlem, New York, this busy Criminology major offered us a look into his life at Ohio State. When asked about his involvements, LeRoy could only laugh and say, “I’m involved in everything.”
LeRoy serves as an Inclusion Advisor for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) on campus. Bridging the gap between student organizations and USG, LeRoy works to raise awareness amongst student organizations about the resources available to them. In addition to his role in USG, LeRoy also serves as President of the student organization Band of Brothers. This student organization focuses on providing resources and space for the development of African American men on campus. With brotherhood in mind, LeRoy also told us about his membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He smiled as he said, “#KappaChapterCares – serving the people for the culture.” Continuing on with his involvements, LeRoy talked about his active role as a Diversity Ambassador, a member of the Department of Social Change and a member of the Bell National Resource Center.
With one goal in mind, LeRoy wishes to make his way back home to Harlem to change the face of legal representation for black people. “With things going on in society today and understanding the environment I grew up in,” he said, “I want to help those behind me that look like me.” Ready for the work ahead, LeRoy explained how he wants to help others get to where he is, because he didn’t get where he is on his own. As a black male on campus, his journey at Ohio State has presented challenges, but is getting easier. Resources like the Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center, the Black Student Association and Band of Brothers have made it easier for him. “With everything going on today in the news, it’s hard for me to walk in a classroom sticking out like a sore thumb, and trying to understand what others’ thoughts are of me,” LeRoy said. With these thoughts in mind, one way LeRoy gives back to Ohio State is through outreach efforts to black children in urban communities with his work in the Department of Social Change.
LeRoy said that he is most proud of his involvement in planning and coordinating the department’s annual event, A Day in the Life of a Buckeye. This event has been transformational for LeRoy, and he enjoys seeing how he can make a difference. LeRoy served as a host his freshman year, answering questions and providing guidance. Today, the student he supported back then attends Ohio State.“I was with him for the day,” LeRoy reflected, acknowledging that he knows he “had some push in him being here today.” LeRoy describes himself as passionate, silly and impactful. Responding to Thurgood Marshall’s sentiments of heartbreak, LeRoy shared that accepting failures has been one of the hardest lessons he has learned at Ohio State thus far. As salutatorian of his high school, LeRoy talked about the difficult transition of coming back from setbacks. Crossing off his recent study abroad experience to Oxford University in England, we can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.
