Category: Criminology and Criminal Justice

Campus engagement has been a large part of my UTD experience, and it’s significantly more fun alongside a consistently engaged group of peers.

I have always been fascinated by the sociology and psychology behind why people commit crimes. I originally wanted to be a defense attorney that defended the rights of individuals in the court of law, but decided I was more interested in helping individuals heal from things that may be caused by victimization.

Be passionate about who you want to help. The rest will fall into place.

Throughout my graduate student career, I have routinely sought out opportunities to improve my teaching skills. For example, I have participated in various workshops, training programs, and initiatives that offered me new insights regarding cutting-edge pedagogical skills and strategies. These skills and strategies are those that I now implement daily in the classroom.

Throughout my graduate student career, I have routinely sought out opportunities to improve my teaching skills. For example, I have participated in various workshops, training programs, and initiatives that offered me new insights regarding cutting-edge pedagogical skills and strategies. These skills and strategies are those that I now implement daily in the classroom.

I graduated with a Master of Science in Criminology from UTD in 2016, and a Ph.D. from UT Arlington. Since graduation, I found and followed my passion for teaching and research.

The main focus of my research is based on examining active offenders and their decision making process to commit crime. Society often questions why an individual decides to commit a crime, and more specifically why that person selected a specific location or how they got involved in that particular type of crime. These answers could be found by asking the offenders to analyze their motivations and justifications in deciding to commit crime. Therefore, in order to complete this task, I go out to the field to conduct interviews with active offenders who are involved in various types of criminal activity.

I am greatly appreciative for the opportunity to share with students my lifetime’s worth of experience working in schools, non-profits, and state agencies. Prior to becoming a professor, I started out working with elementary kids in non-profits, and then worked with middle and high school youth to provide them tools to overcome barriers. It was during my work as a practioner when I decided that I needed to earn my Ph.D. so I could share what I have learned in the field with the next generation. I am truly passionate and greatly enjoy being able to show others how the criminal justice field touches so many facets of our communities.

Truth be told, years ago when I was playing dodgeball with youth or when I was counseling a gang member, I never thought that I would be a professor. Early on in my career, I was happy simply seeing a youth pass a test or complete their probation. Now, I am thrilled to see my students graduate college and go on to start their career.

EPPS Assistant Professor, Dr. Yeungjeom Lee, was recently awarded the 2023 Tory J. Caeti Memorial Award. The award is meant to recognize the significant contributions to the field of juvenile justice by young scholars like Dr. Lee. The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS): Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Section is sponsored by the Department of […]

My EPPS education in the Criminology program is the bedrock of my career. I appreciate how the program and faculty provided an education applicable to policy workers as well as academics. The union of theory and policy has been invaluable while conducting government research.

Working for Justice Murphy helped me with the basics like seeing the inside workings of a courtroom and how to approach the bench correctly.

Plan your work and work your plan. Keep your eyes on the prize!

Home: Shippensburg, Pennsylvania UT Dallas Degree: MS – Criminology, 2009 and PhD – Criminology, 2013Profession: Sergeant of Police My Work My job at CPI is very broad and limited only in that it must involve academic research, assistance with grants and publication in peer-reviewed journals when possible. I conduct empirical research in many areas related to […]