Congratulations to Ian Robertson, a senior Criminology major, on presenting his research at the Mississippi State University Summer Research Symposium. As a summer research assistant under the mentorship of Dr. Margaret Ralston and Dr. King, Ian examined how school disciplinary practices may influence long-term mental health outcomes. His research explored the lasting impacts of school punishment and contributes to a growing body of work focused on understanding how educational experiences shape well-being over time. The Department of Sociology is proud of Ian's dedication to research and his commitment to addressing important social issues through evidence-based inquiry. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
July 30, 2026
The Department of Sociology is proud to celebrate graduate student Madeline Brock, first author of “Vote, Pray, and Fear: Politics, Religion, and Fear of Crime in Today’s United States,” published in Social Science Quarterly. Brock coauthored the article with Department of Sociology faculty members Dr. Nicole Rader and Dr. Margaret Ralston. The study examines how political conservatism and religious service attendance relate to fear of crime in the contemporary United States. Read the article in Social Science Quarterly by clicking here.
September 9, 2026
The Department of Sociology at Mississippi State University is pleased to recognize two faculty members for their recent honors from the College of Arts & Sciences: Dr. Ashley Vancil-Leap, recipient of the Teaching Award in Social & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Dustin C. Brown, recipient of the Research Award in Social & Behavioral Sciences These awards highlight their commitment to excellence in teaching and research, as well as their meaningful contributions to the field of sociology. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and their impact on our students and academic community.
April 8, 2026
