KateLynne Stull, who is majoring in Sociology (BS) - Criminology, Deviance and Law, said she aspires to work in a crime lab – analyzing data and contributing to her field’s knowledge of crime, specifically why a criminal pursues certain crimes.

One day, she said, maybe she will have the opportunity to work as a detective.

“I believe that when you understand why someone committed an act of crime, you can then help prevent others from going down the same path.”

Stull said she chose to pursue her undergraduate education at Appalachian State University, in part, because of the Department of Sociology faculty.

“The sociology department has teachers with field experience,” Stull said. “Some have worked in the SBI and Army and as lawyers and criminologists.”

Although she has not completed her internship yet, Stull said she feels ready for it because of the practical experience her teachers have given her in class.

“I have enjoyed studying the different types of deviance that people can experience, such as mental, sexual and social deviances,” Stull said. “It’s interesting to learn how everyone has a different quirk about them and when those quirks go too far and deviate from the norms of society.”