The latest news on some of our graduates Fernando Clark (Ph.D., completed June 2024) Accepted a Lecturer position at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, beginning Fall 2024. His dissertation, "Are Latinx Neighborhoods So Different? A Test of Racial Invariance Thesis and Latino Paradox." was completed under the direction of Tom McNulty. Cerenity E. Collins (Ph.D., completed June 2024) Accepted a position as assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Clemson University, beginning Fall 2024. Her research focuses on intersections of racialization, health, and social psychology. Her dissertation, "Double Consciousness, Mixed Emotions, and Social Interaction: Examining the Racialized Experiences of Black STEM Students," bridges W.E.B. Du Bois’ theory of double consciousness with organizational theories of inequality and social psychological theories of identity and emotion. This research examines how social networks shape identity management and emotional experiences and the implications of these emotions and identity processes for the health, mental health, and institutional commitment for Black STEM students. This research was completed under the supervision of Dr. Dawn T. Robinson. Sarah M. Groh (Ph.D., completed May 2024) Accepted a position as assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Clemson University, beginning Fall 2024. Her research lies at the intersection of health and health care, sexuality and gender, and social psychology. Her work is situated in the understanding that patient-provider interaction shapes health outcomes for marginalized populations, focusing particularly on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and women. Her dissertation explores the role patient-provider interaction plays in health care utilization and how compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity shape health care experiences for lesbians. This research was completed under the supervision of Dr. Jody-Clay-Warner. Jeff Patterson (Ph.D., completed August 2022) Assistant professor of practice in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at Texas Tech University. Dr. Patterson's research focuses on deviance and social control, the contested construction of knowledge, and radicalization pathways. His dissertation, "Witchcraft and Partisanship in Contemporary Society: The Case of QAnon" was directed by Dr. Mark Cooney. The publication of his first book, Homicide in Global and Historical Perspective (Cognella Academic Publishing) is expected in 2025. Alyssa Brown (Ph.D., completed December 2023) Research fellow in the Division of Reproductive Health at the CDC. Dr. Brown is a family sociologist and criminologist whose research focuses on family processes, adolescent delinquency, risky sexual behaviors, and racial disparities in health and the etiology of crime. Her dissertation, “Racial Discrimination and Delinquent Behavior Among Black American Youth: A Dynamic Within-Person Approach,” was directed by Dr. Leslie Gordon Simons.
