CLASS OF 2018
Meagan Brant
My name is Meagan Brant, first year student in the Master's Program of Sociology at Ball State University. I achieved my undergraduate degree in sociology from Ball State University as well. I have a wide variety ofresearch interests ranging from social movements to the sociology offood to happiness. In the future, I hope to become an educator, not only in the classroom but in my community as well. I will achieve ultimate happiness when I know what I am doing is helping the greater good.
Josyaah Budreau
Josyaah graduated from University of Minnesota at Duluth with a major in sociology, and he entered our program in the fall of 2016.
Carli Hendershot
I am a recent graduate of Ball State University with a B.A. in political science and minors in sociology and Spanish. I have a wide array of interests within sociology, focusing on social organization and stratification. I hope to complete my Master's in sociology and either continue my education to obtain my Ph.D. or pursue a career in institutional research.
Tom Henry
I am from a northern suburb of Chicago called Morton Grove. I received two B.S. degrees from Ball State in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Upon graduating from the master's program I plan to either get a job in Institutional Research or go on to pursue a doctoral degree. Go White Sox.
Sunni Matters
I am a Muncie, Indiana native. I received my B.S. in Sociology from Ball State University in July 2016. My specific area of interests within sociology is addiction, mental health, and race. I hope to perform institutional research after completing the M.A. program. I am also interesting in teaching sociology at a community college.
Savanna Paddock
Savanna graduated from Ball State, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She entered our program in the fall of 2016.
Morgan Self
I am a St. Louis, MO native, and received Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Biology and a minor in Spanish from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. Some of my specific areas of interest are: social psychology, charitable giving, gender/gender roles, religion, quantitative methods/statistical analysis, and family (among many other things). After finishing my Master’s Degree in Sociology, I plan on pursuing a PhD in either sociology or social psychology. My ultimate goals are to become a professor at a university while also doing research, and I believe that my M.A. will definitely help me achieve those goals. Fun Fact: I am absolutely obsessed with pugs, and hope to have a small army of them one day.
CLASS OF 2017
Jalal Gulzar
I am from Kurdistan. I received my B.S. in Sociology from university of Sulaimany. Currently I am pursuing M.A. at Ball State. I am interesting in politics, minor nationality and human rights but my interesting research area is mass media and its effects on collective behavior.
Terri Manring
I was born and raised in Muncie, but I now live in Blountsville, IN, where my husband and I raised five boys. As a non-traditional student, I received my B.S. in Sociology, with minors in Women’s Studies and Educational Psychology from Ball State University in 2010. In 2015 I started my pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Sociology along with the Graduate Certificate in Institutional Research. My specific areas of interest includes, non-traditional students in higher education, online learning, family, and our correctional system. I hope to complete my degree in the Summer 2017. After graduation I would like to pursue a job in institutional research or upper division advising.
David Nickel
I grew upin Muncie Indiana and received my undergraduate degree from Ball State University in sociology with a minor in theatre. My specific area of interest within sociology is health care. I would love to work for the CDC conducting research to help people. However, I also am interested in working with nonprofits. I have worked at two nonprofits in Muncie for several years. My Master's Degree would allow me to have better research skills and may allow me to have amanagerialposition in a nonprofit someday.
Jessica Nickel
I am a Muncie native, and I received my Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Ball State University in May 2015. My interests changed drastically since starting the Master of Artsprogram, but I finally found that my interest and career goals fit well with Institutional Research. After graduation, I plan towork where I am helping others- either through government research and policy analysis ordirect service through a non-profit organization. My ultimate goal is to work for a large non-profit organization, such as the Human Rights Campaign,that helps disadvantaged populations.
Eric Patterson
I am is a recent graduate of Ball State University. I graduated with a degree in sociology with a minor in social work. My cumulative GPA awarded him Magna Cum Laude honors. I also have an Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech Community College in Human Services where I was awarded Outstanding Student of the Public and Social Services Department. I plan on pursuing multiple career tracks upon completion of the Masters programming. I wish to work at a university in an institutional research department and also to work at a community college in their distance and online education department teaching students that also see community college as a stepping stone to their future educational pursuits at a four-year institution. My specific research areas of interest are education, gender studies focused on the transgender community, and religion.
Jordan Reinoehl
I am originally from Mishawaka, IN. I went to Manchester University for undergrad and have bachelor's in Education and Sociology. After Ball State, I will get a PhD and ultimately be a professor. I have a wide range of research interests, from mental health to education to sex research.
Rachel Stenger
I'm from Indianapolis and I graduated from Ball State with degrees in psychology and sociology. My research interests include adoption, specifically attitudes about transracial adoptions. Eventually, I would like to work for an institution that does research on adoption issues and influences policy and public opinion.
Gage Vandine
I come from Huntington, Indiana and graduated from Ball State University with degrees in sociology and psychology. My research interests include deviance, leisure, and religion. Post graduation I intend to find a research position.
CLASS OF 2016
John Weldon Anderson Jr.
Mr. John Anderson is a first year graduate student at Ball State University pursing a double major master’s degree in Sociology/ Adult & Community Education. He returned to school after having been in the workforce for the last ten years. As a “grassroots” academic, he holds an undergraduate certificate in Biblical Studies from the King’s University, an associate arts in Psychology from Skyline College and a baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University. His sociological interest are in religion, urban communities, families systems, fatherhood, and the social dynamics of stratification/ oppression. Mr. Anderson currently resides in Muncie, Indiana with his wife and four children.
Brendan Dugan
During my undergraduate career at Marian University, Indianapolis, I focused on issues of social inequality, social and political theory, and religion. There I earned my B.A. in Sociology, Cum Laude, with a concentration in writing and a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. At Ball State, my research interests have shifted to medical sociology and quantitative methods. I intend to continue mywork in applied or academic research after completing the Master’s program.
Cole Heady
I am from Elwood, Indiana, and currently reside in Muncie. I attended Ball State as an undergraduate and received my B.S. in Sociology along with minors in Interpersonal Relations and Psychology of Human Development. My research interests are associated with research ethics and media, with an emphasis on quantitative methodologies. After I graduate, I hope to obtain a Ph.D in Sociology. On the more personal side, I am an avid video gamer, music lover, and board game enthusiast.
Michael Light
Currently I reside in Richmond, Indiana and commute while pursuing my Master in Sociology at Ball State University. I am interested in the sociology that examinessocial networks/communities, religion and leisure. My career goal from attending BSU and earning this degree are to find a position performinginstitutional research and perhapsdo some adjunctteaching at the college level.
Wes Heath
I was born in Dallas, TX, but raised in central Indiana. I graduated from Manchester University with a double major in Sociology and Psychology. After graduating Ball State University with my M.A. degree, I plan to attend a PhD program. My research interests include sexuality and gender, and my previous research topics include coming-out, transgender student experiences in higher-education, and LGBTcampus inclusivitypolicies.
Jordan Meyer
I am from a small town in the Terre Haute, Indiana area and graduated with my B.S. in sociology from Ball State University in May 2015 and started graduate school there the following fall. After completion of my M.A. sociology, I plan on either pursuing a career in institutional research or continuing on for a Ph.D. in order to work in academia. My research interests include general inequality/stratification, demography, and medical sociology.
Matthew Sommerville
I was born in southeast Michigan but raised in Dayton, Ohio. I received a B.A. in sociology from Wright State University after earning my A.A. from Sinclair Community College in Dayton. I am also an AmeriCorps alum; I served with the National Civilian Community Corp in 2009 and AmeriCorps state in 2012. As an undergraduate I was heavily involved with youth enrichment programs throughout Dayton, thus my sociological interest’s center around family, early childhood education, fatherhood, and gender. Following graduation I plan to re-locate and find employment in either institutional research or youth intervention.
CLASS OF 2015
Rich Burdge
I grew up in Akron, Indiana and received my B.S. in Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution from the University of Illinois. I worked on water pollution issues for ten years for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. My focus is the sociology of religion. I have not decided on plans after I receive my master's degree.
Alaina Camblin
I received my bachelor's degree from Ball State in Sociology. My main interests in sociology are aging and gerontology, theory, and medical sociology. After receiving my MA in sociology I plan on attending pharmacy school, however I am still undecided on which university I will attend.
Emilee Purcell
I am from the Indianapolis area and in May 2013 I received my B.A. in Sociology from Ball State University. Within Sociology, my interests include media, gerontology, and gender equality. Upon completing my Masters, I hope to teach at the college level while working towards my PhD.
Cory Hrycko
I was born on Camp Pendleton in California. My family has been a bit nomadic after that. After the 1989 earthquake of Loma Prieta, the World Series broadcasted earthquake, my family decided to move away from California to a suburb of Philadelphia. From there my family moved to a suburb of Pittsburgh in Ohio. It is in this place that sparked my interest for Sociology. The town was the victim of constant institutionalized discrimination from Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. From there I went to Youngstown University from which I transferred and completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology from Muskingum University. At Ball State University I am pursuing a Master’s of Arts with a focus in Social Psychology and Sociology. After my master’s degree I plan on becoming a teacher at a community college while pursuing a Ph.D.
Glenn Schnelker
I am from Fort Wayne Indiana. I received my undergraduate in Sociology with a minor in Biology at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne in 2011. I am primarily interested in the Sociology of family and marriage. I hope to find employment after receiving my masters from Ball State University.
Jared Sell
I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana. I received my B.A. from IPFW, majoring in psychology and philosophy. My specific interests in sociology are religion, gender, and sexuality. After my time here at Ball State, I hope to earn a Ph.D. and secure an academic position teaching and researching the sociology of religion.
Christina (Chrissy) Sorenson
I live in Huntington, IN with my husband, Daniel, our son, Lazarus, and our three dogs (Roman, Austin, and Jinx). I enjoy kayaking, hanging out around a fire with friends, reading, and gardening. I received my BA in both Sociology and Psychology from Indiana-Purdue Ft Wayne. My research interests include religion and family. I currently work as an ABA therapist, helping autistic children learn to navigate social situations/interactions.
Sabrina Tanner
I grew up in Francesville, Indiana and received my B.S. in Sociology with a minor in Marketing from Ball State University. My current interests are in statistics and data analysis. After receiving my M.A. from Ball State, I would like to work in the marketing research and consumer behavior field.
CLASS OF 2014
Sawsan Aldaadi
Sawsan is from Saudi Arabia and earned a degree in social work from Umm Al-Qura University. Sawsan would like to use sociology to help address community issues and would eventually like to be a professor.
Doreen Ayugi
I am from Kenya. I received my bachelor’s degree in Development Studies at Uganda Christian University. I received a post-graduate diploma in Project Management and worked with non-government organizations in matters related to women and children rights. My areas of interest include gender inequality and education. I am planning on applying for MA in public policy, with a goal of integrating sociology skills in policy development focusing on non-governmental organization. My future plan is to work with International NGO's in poverty eradication by offering sustainable programs for future generations.
Elaina Johns-Wolfe
I am from North Manchester, Indiana and currently reside in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I completed my undergraduate degree in sociology at Ball State University in 2011. My substantive research interests include urban sociology (with specific regard to neighborhoods), social change, and social problems. Upon completion of this degree, I hope to attend a PhD program."
Kurtis McCoin
I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. I attended Ball State University as an undergrad and received a B.A. in Sociology and History with a minor in Anthropology. My research interests are lower income individuals/families, their roles in society, and low income neighborhoods and education. After finishing my M.A. at Ball State, I plan to work at a university/college as an institutional researcher in hopes of encouraging diversity in and around campus.
Jack Osben
I am from Oklahoma, though had relocated to Arkansas a number of years ago. I received B.A. degrees
in both Psychology and Sociology from Arkansas Tech University. My research interests are varied, though I am primarily interested in mood disorders and suicide. After completing my M.A. from Ball State, I plan to work for a non-profit organization dealing with suicide prevention.
Zachary Palmer
Update: a doctoral student in sociology at Purdue University
I’m from Kirksville, Missouri and got my B.S. in sociology there at Truman State University. My areas of interest in sociology are religion, social psychology, and gender. After I graduate I plan on going on for my Ph.D.
Anthony Rodriguez
I was born and grew up in France where I received my B.A. in English and Education at Nancy 2 University. After a year at Ball State as a French assistant, I applied to a Master's program in Sociology. My main interests are Education and Religion, especially the impact of pupils' religious and cultural background on their schooling.
Kaley Schoeph
Native to Indiana, I grew up in Columbia City and received my B.S. in Sociology and Psychology from Ball State University. My research interests include a wide variety of topics, but my general focus relates to the study of educational institutions. After completing my M.A. from Ball State, I hope to work for an Institutional Research board on a College campus to help with their data needs and guide them to making effective, data based decisions.
David Staggs
I have lived in the Muncie area since 1997 and received my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Ball State University in December of 2010. My primary research interests include mass media and sociopolitical issues. After obtaining my Master's Degree, I hope to teach Sociology at the community college level.
Katherine Zeininger
I am from Waupun, Wisconsin. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where I majored in Sociology and minored in Family and Health Studies. My sociological interests include gender, sexuality, and inequality. After earning my M.A. at Ball State, I hope to pursue my Ph.D.
WHERE THEY ARE NOW: GRADUATES OF BALL STATE’S SOCIOLOGY MA PROGRAM
Joe Grover (class of 2013)
Update: Joe is working as a research associate in the population center at University of Minnesota.
Joe Grover is currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology at the University of Minnesota. He also works as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Minnesota Population Center doing data formatting and harmonization for the nationally representative Current Population Survey. Joe hopes to use the Current Population Survey as well as many of the other rich data sources available through the Minnesota Population Center to study the complex relationships between inequality and health outcomes at various geographic levels.
Heather Harduk (class of 2013)
I am currently enrolled in the police academy earning my certification as a law enforcement officer in the state of North Carolina. When finished I will be working as a police officer in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. My goals here are to receive specialized training to advance into the Criminal Investigations Division as well as pursue the opportunity of placement on the Strategic Response Team. My dream job is to one day work in the Behavioral Sciences Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Shawn Teague (class of 2013)
Update: Shawn got a job as a research analyst in Youth Development at Child Trends. Hurray!
I graduated in July 2013 and am now seeking a research position in a non-profit or a policy institution. My main interest continues to be social stratification. I will be moving to Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2013 in order to seek employment.
Cheri Ellefson Terhune (class of 2012)
Almost immediately after defending my thesis this summer and graduating in July (2012), I accepted two teaching jobs for the fall. I will teach Sociology 100 to 50 students at IU East Richmond, and an online 400-level Sociology of Women course at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. I am freelance writing between teaching positions. I’m also coordinating the marketing for a local Muncie non-profit association and was elected president of Muncie Young Professionals for 2012-2013, an organization that provides professional development opportunities for young business professionals in the area.
Jessica Metcalf (class of 2011)
I graduated from Ball State University in May of 2011 after completing my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the Sociology department. I am currently a second year sociology PhD student at the University of Florida and I am confident that my continued success is due to the strong foundation I created while at BSU. My primary interests are in gender and sexuality as well as the family and I have been involved with many projects exploring those fields while at Florida. More specifically, I am interested in how members of the GLBT community construct and maintain their identities and how they construct and maintain their families. My dissertation will focus on how female-to-male transgender individuals construct and maintain their masculine identities. Additionally, I am an instructor at UF; I taught Marriages and Families during the summer semester and am teaching two sections of the course this fall. I am excited about the work that I am doing and am grateful to have had my start at BSU!