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Maizie Hill ‘25, a double major in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Transformative Justice, was recently selected to participate in a 10-week Data Science and Crime Analytics program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This highly competitive program, supported by the National Science Foundation, allowed Hill the unique opportunity to work alongside an interdisciplinary team of researchers, exploring pressing issues in crime analytics.
This past summer, Hill and four undergraduate students from other higher education institutions, focused their research on the employment outcomes of adolescent gang members. Together, the team conducted a comprehensive literature review on gang desistance and presented their findings at the UNC Charlotte Research Symposium. Additionally, the group took their research to the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association Conference in Chicago, where they earned an award for Best Student Poster.
“For some time, I have wanted to gain professional experience in the justice field, especially given the importance of research in academia, and this program delivered just that. It strengthened my intellectual curiosity and solidified my ambition to pursue graduate school one day.”
Despite initially doubting her qualifications for the program, Hill eventually applied after receiving strong encouragement from Dr. Jennifer Balboni, professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Balboni not only brought the research opportunity to Hill’s attention but also provided the guidance and support needed to help her navigate the competitive selection process.
“Maizie is an outstanding student in every way,” remarked Dr. Balboni. “But most of all, she is motivated to promote justice through her work and is a proactive member of our campus community.”
In addition to her academic focus on analyzing and critiquing the criminal justice system, Hill holds several leadership positions across campus. She serves as Vice President of the Criminal Justice Student Organization and Vice President of Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø Cares, is a member of the Sustainability Committee, serves as a Lead Resident Assistant, and is a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society.
Hill credits her courses at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø for preparing her for her future endeavors, including continuing to gain hands-on experience in the criminal justice and social work fields and eventually becoming a college professor.
"The foundational courses I’ve taken at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø, especially those within the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department which are focused on career development, have equipped me with valuable skills like resume-building, networking, and interview preparation.”