The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is proud to welcome a talented cohort of scholars and researchers to the community through the Summer Research Initiative (SRI). For 25 years, the SRI has fulfilled its mission to increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing graduate degrees in social, behavioral, and economic studies. Among the talented group of scholars this year, CCJS proudly welcomes to the 2023 Summer Research Initiative (SRI) Scholar Nicole Noguera. 

Nicole is a rising senior at the University of Maryland (UMD), double majoring in criminology and criminal justice and psychology. Nicole's research interests include rehabilitation and reintegration, justice reform, community-oriented policing, and victimization risk. Nicole has worked on research aimed at creating a hate crime hotline to connect victims to necessary legal services and support.

Nicole plans to pursue a doctoral degree in criminology and criminal justice. She eagerly anticipates the opportunity to gain valuable research skills through her participation in the Summer Research Initiative (SRI). Nicole's ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between the legal system and underrepresented neighborhoods, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.

As part of the SRI, Nicole will be mentored by Dr. Maria Vélez, a faculty member in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. They will work on a project that studies the ways in which Latino communities are organized for and against neighborhood crime in El Paso, Tx.  The findings from this project will be shared at the end of July during the SRI conference.