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Alumni

Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå sociology graduates are enrolled in a number of graduate and professional schools, pursuing programs in sociology, urban studies, public policy, social work and law. 

Recent alumni include people like Alondra Gonzalez. Here, Ms. Gonzalez talks about her passion for Sociology and how it influences her graduate studies, community involvement, career plans, and more.

Kari Tetlow

"When I graduated high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. Going into freshman orientation, I knew I     wanted to help people and was deciding between a major in psychology or sociology. After speaking with one of the sociology professors, I realized that sociology aligned more closely with my interests. I graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Peace Studies.

I currently serve as the Community Engagement Manager at my local township office. In this role, I connect residents with resources, promote our services, and build relationships with those in my community. During the summer, I also work at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in their sustainability department, where our goal is to divert as much waste as possible from every concert.

My time at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå was transformative and prepared me for where I am today. I was involved in community outreach and sustainability efforts, which is similar to the work I do now. Sociology taught me to think critically about the systems of inequality and understand that access to resources shapes people’s lives. This perspective has helped me navigate every interaction in my job - with empathy, resourcefulness, and the commitment to build trust. Everyday, I get to engage with people from different backgrounds, listen to their stories, and be a part of a solution and for that I am grateful. I’m proud of my sociology background and how it can make a real difference in the world."

Issac Jean-Paul

Class of 2016

"Since graduating from Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University with a degree in Sociology, I’ve built my career as a two-time Paralympian, world record holder, and author. My Sociology background has been a foundation for understanding people, culture, and community — lessons that continue to guide me in both my athletic and creative pursuits.

I’m the author of The Guardians of Orisha, Mya’s Marvelous Day at the Games, and Understanding Disabilities with Mya, books that explore themes of empowerment, identity, and inclusion. Through sport and storytelling, I strive to inspire others to embrace their differences, challenge societal perceptions, and create a more inclusive world.

My time at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå taught me how deeply connected we all are — a lesson that continues to shape my purpose on and off the track." 

Alondra Gonzalez

“I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology in 2019 and will complete my Master of Social Work in May 2021. I never planned on obtaining a degree in Sociology; it found me. I was required to take a social justice class to fulfill my general education requirements, and that class changed my life!

Criminal Justice and Sociology are extremely intertwined and go hand in hand when learning about the justice system. I quickly fell in love with sociological theory and I was able to learn to see the world from different perspectives. As I continued taking Sociology courses, I found myself becoming more and more passionate about societal issues and wanting to become involved in the community.

While in undergrad, my interests included urban education, women’s studies, and criminology. I also helped organize a campus drive to collect women’s menstruation products and bras that we donated to unhoused women through “I Support the Girls”—a program providing menstrual products to women experiencing homelessness and poverty. After graduation, I found myself in the mental health field, which allows me a number of ways of using my Sociology degree. I decided to pursue a Master of Social Work to continue focusing on the micro-, meso-, and macro-level and to make connections with societal issues, like race, income, and education level that are impacting mental health.

I use Sociology every day and because of it, I developed a critical understanding of the functioning of society and the ability to point out possible social issues impacting individuals and their families when I interact with them. Currently, I am working as a Child Protection Specialist through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. I love being able to go out in the community and speak with families and find needed resources for them. I am also employed at Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital as an Assessment and Referral Technician where I assist clinicians in the admission process for patients needing psychiatric admission. I ensure patients and families understand their rights and consent processes prior to admittance to the hospital’s programs. In both positions, I am able to see how societal oppressions impact individuals and families: from health insurance to mental health to the ways parenting styles affecting their children. I am also able to see the resilience present in the community, including reuniting families in the community after they receive needed resources.

My future plans furthering my education include getting a Master of Arts in Sociology or possibly a Master of Jurisprudence in Children’s Law. My advice for prospective students is: it’s never too late to choose your passion. Whether you’re 15 and planning your future career or 50 and changing your career, do what you love! Sociology is my passion, what’s yours?”

Eva Gonzalez, LCSW

Class of 2015

I had begun my years at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University with my goal to enter the field of mental health. When I had an opportunity to obtain a second major, I did not realize how impactful the decision to study Sociology would be on later obtaining my Masters in Social Work and serving clients through a holistic lens. My time as a Sociology student transformed the way I viewed the work with individuals in that it challenged me to recognize the impact of systems and histories as well as helped me understand the purpose of having challenging conversations needed to do the work we strive to get done in the field of mental health. I am particularly grateful for the support and guidance from Dr. Tennille Allen during my time as a student as I recognize the seeds that she had planted many years ago continue to bloom today.

The lessons from the classroom became the foundation to the way I understand how systems and communities work and understanding the intersectionality of identity helped me to make sense of my own experiences. I currently work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at a university focusing on the mental health needs of students with underrepresented identities and working with my team to provide services by way of community healing. To current and prospective students, I encourage you to find your community of connections or people where you can find rest, rejuvenation, and joy while you navigate this phase in life that can bring various challenges and responsibilities.

I think back to my time as an undergraduate and feel gratitude that I found community with other students and with professors, an experience that greatly contributed to and helped me succeed as a scholar and a professional. 

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