Cydney Simmons, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Undergraduate Honors Program, has been awarded the 2025 Laure Brooks Best Thesis Award for her honors thesis titled "Beyond the Classroom: Examining the Associations of Skin Tone and Suspension with Arrest among Black Girls."

Her thesis investigates the role of colorism in the treatment and experience of dark-skinned Black girls in school and the criminal justice system. In doing so, Cydney aimed to understand the extent to which darker skin is associated with higher arrest rates, and how this association shifts when considering suspensions.

Cydney explained, “My thesis explores the impact colorism can have on the school-to-prison pipeline for Black girls, specifically seeking to understand if/how dark-skinned Black girls are put at a greater disadvantage than their light-skinned counterparts. As a Black woman, I have always been privy to how society treats Black women, especially women of darker skin tones. I find it incredibly upsetting that some Black women, whom I know and do not know, that are gorgeous, intelligent, and perfectly capable of living successful lives are constantly held back by discriminatory practices in so many settings, not only because they are Black or a woman but because they are a dark-skinned Black woman. It is even more upsetting to me when such things are happening to young Black girls who shouldn't have to worry about how their skin tone will be perceived or how their skin tone may affect their future. I wanted my thesis to give voice to these struggles that are often overlooked or ignored in hopes that we realize the damage our education and criminal justice systems may be doing to young Black girls.”

During her time in the honors program, Cydney had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Wendy Stickle, Director of the Undergraduate CCJS Program at the Universities at Shady Grove, assisting in research on human trafficking courts in the United States and whether these courts align with the standards set by the Office for Victims of Crime.

Cydney credits her mentors and support network for helping her throughout the process. She said, “Everyone who has heard or read my thesis even once has been a major support to me! Each person has planted a seed in me to help this project grow! To name a few, Dr. Wade Jacobsen and Sylvia Sun have been such incredible mentors to me throughout my time in the CCJS honors program. They have been a major help in navigating the vast world of research, which has not only helped advance my project but also encouraged a lot of personal development. Of course, my family, friends, and fellow cohort deserve a shoutout as well! They have been a major support system to me when I needed a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on.”

When Cydney learned that she had won the award, she was filled with gratitude. She recalled, “I was filled with so much gratitude! I was already very proud of my hard work and dedication but for that to be recognized by the department is an amazing feeling! I am still buzzing with joy and will be for a very long time!”

Looking ahead, Cydney is excited to begin her next academic chapter. “I am so excited to be attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore this fall to pursue my master’s in social work with a clinical concentration, in hopes of becoming a victim advocate!”

To learn more, check out her profile here on the department honors webpage.