We study social processes and give people the tools they need to remake society, enabling us to create a more just and equitable world.

Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies

Sociology helps us see social forces that transcend the individual. With that critical perspective, sociology empowers those who work to make the world a better place. At Otterbein’s Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies you will learn how to be a positive catalyst for effective social change. We prepare students to engage complex challenges that affect our communities and social institutions.

Our courses consider questions such as:

Who is empowered and whose voices are missing?
Is an institution fair?
What alternatives can we imagine?
What resources are required to create social change?

If you have a passion for understanding society and the social forces that shape behavior, we invite you to help answer these vital questions using sociological research methods and critical justice perspectives.

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Sociology

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Criminology and Justice Studies

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Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies

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Student, Faculty, and Alumni Spotlights

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Shay Locke presented her research, titled “Criminal Justice Reform: Rethinking Pretrial Risk Assessment Instruments” at the Ohio Council of Criminal Justice Education (OCCJE’s) 20th Annual Research Conference and Awards Ceremony held at Bluffton University.

Shay Locke ’22

Sociology Major with Minors in Criminology and Justice Studies

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Paige’s research paper on U.S. government-led forced sterilization in Puerto Rico was selected for presentation at the 2021 Latin American and Latinx Studies Symposium and for publication by The Johns Hopkins Journal of Latin American Studies.

Paige Skaff ’22

Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with minors in Political Science and Race and Ethnic Studies

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Majoring in sociology will give you many resources to develop new and vital perspectives. These, when combined with Otterbein’s Integrative Studies general education curriculum, provide a well-rounded education which will prepare you for nearly any situation, both professionally and personally.

Anna Stamper ’22

Sociology Major with a History Minor

Former Ohio Governor John Kasich visits Criminology and Justice Studies classes to talk about a governor’s role in clemencies, sentence commutations for death row inmates, and private prisons.

Mitch Gitelman, video game developer with Harebrained Schemes, talked with students in our Video Games and Society class about designing socially responsive games and changing gaming culture.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

During their term as president and vice president of Otterbein University Student Government (OUSG), Frandie and Angel directed sustained attention to the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. OUSG hosted a campus-wide town hall that allowed students to share experiences they have had, and as a result, conversations among staff, administration, and faculty have focused on how to support and enhance the campus experiences for every student.

Frandie Francique ’21, Sociology and Psychology double major, and Angel Banks ’21, Criminology & Justice Studies and Psychology double major

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

The courses and experiences I had in the Department of Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies helped me realize my full potential as a student, scholar, and community organizer.

Mina Zaky ’20

Sociology and Criminology & Justice Studies double major
Mina is a law student at The Ohio State University and judicial extern to Federal Magistrate Judge Chelsey Vascura in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

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The skills I learned at my internship as a Government Relations Intern, coupled with my classes in Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies set me up to be not only employable in the field of my choice, but a competitive applicant to law school.

Selena LaBair ’20

Sociology and Criminology & Justice Studies double major, minors in Philosophy and Psychology
Selena will be attending Law School at the University of Michigan.

Deputy Matthew Wetzel visits Criminology and Justice Studies classes to talk about career opportunities at the Franklin County Sherriff’s Department.

The department’s capstone internship experience gives seniors a culminating immersive experience that allows them to apply their knowledge in a wide range of professional settings. Ronni Royer is pictured here during her internship with the Columbus Police Department.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Heidi Renate Ballard, Ph.D., M.P.H., draws on her specialties in global sociology and global health to conduct practical field research projects that advance community wellness and sustainable development in alignment with UN Sustainable Development goals. Since 2016, Dr. Ballard in tandem with Dr. Diane Ross (Education) has engaged in practical field work in rural Uganda.

Dr. Heidi Renate Ballard

Associate Professor

Learn more about Dr. Ballard >

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Leesa Kern is researching the way people look to make meaning in their lives; and if they choose paths that are not normative, why they persist. She is especially interested in the socialization of new members to so-called outsider communities. By studying these groups, we can learn a lot about how a society treats and responds to people who are considered “different”.

Dr. Leesa Kern

Associate Professor

Learn more about Dr. Kern >

Department Features and Student Opportunities

Scholarships and Honors

SCJS majors can receive several departmental scholarships in addition to institutional financial aid. These awards support student success, academic achievement, and engagement in scholarly research.

Alpha Kappa Delta

Otterbein is proud to host a chapter of AKD. Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of social problems, sociology, and intellectual activities that lead to the improvement in the human condition.

Teaching and Mentoring

SCJS Students learn about social movement organizations, not-for-profit management, and social justice advocacy and will be able to collaborate with faculty on research projects involving community organizations and criminal justice systems.

Theory and Practice

We offer a combined scholarly and applied course of study that lets our majors pursue their interests in academic or applied careers in criminal justice research and work at the community, national, or global level.

Double Majors

A degree in sociology pairs productively as a double major with public health education. Graduates work as health educators, conducting research in their communities to advocate for health services and environmental justice.

Student Research

We encourage our students to engage in scholarly research and support their efforts. One example is Corinne Saul ’19, who presented her research on Feminist Trauma Theory at the (2019) Northeast Undergraduate Sociological Symposium.

Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies Department News

Otterbein students promoting Raise your voice

Nonpartisan Student Organization Encourages Students to Make Their Voices Heard

News - October 28, 2026

By AJ Nagy ’27 AJ Nagy ‘27, an English and Music Performance double major at Otterbein University, recently had the opportunity to interview Sociology major Jaylyn Stillwell ’27 about his work with Raise Your Voice, Otterbein’s nonpartisan, student-run voter engagement organization. In the following Q&A, Stillwell discusses his experience as a Democracy Fellow, the importance of nonpartisan voter education, and how Otterbein students can make a difference through civic engagement. AJ Nagy: How long have you been in Raise Your…

How One Student Leader is Creating Space for Asian Voices at Otterbein

News - July 3, 2025

By Kennedy Berry ’27 How One Student Leader is Creating Space for Asian Voices at Otterbein By Kennedy Berry ’27 When Dylan Truong came to Otterbein, he was surprised there was not already an Asian student organization.So Truong, now a sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice and Justice Studies, and Sociology, decided to start one himself. At Otterbein, there are many organizations promoting diversity on campus, such as the Black Student Union (BSU), Muslim Student Union, Heritage of Latino Americans (HOLA),…

National Media Recognize Otterbein University for Programs and Values

News - September 18, 2023

Otterbein University has been collecting honors this fall, as it is recognized in national publications for its programs and values, including U.S. News & World Report, Colleges of Distinction, and Washington Monthly. US News & World Report Otterbein University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its academic excellence, commitment to undergraduate teaching, and focus on affordability, student success outcomes, and experiential learning. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Otterbein has…