Hometown: West Bloomfield, Michigan

Major/Minor: Major: Sociology: Law, Justice, and Social Change / Mionor: Intergroup Relations

Campus Organization(s): Barger Leadership Institute, University of Michigan Chabad, Academic Success Tutoring Program

Let's get to know Jordyn...

What inspired you to major in Sociology?

I went into college wanting to expand my horizons and interact with other students who didn't have the same identities and experiences as me. However, at the end of my freshman year, I realized that most of my social groups on campus were made up of people who were very similar to me, and I wanted to change that. Sociology gave me the opportunity to hear the different perspectives that I had been missing all of my life so far and that are so crucial in understanding our society.

 

What classes have you most enjoyed? Why?

My favorite classes have been Soc 305: Intro to Sociological Theory and Soc 495: Mass Incarceration and Conscientization. In Soc 305, I was able to grasp the foundational elements of sociology as a discipline, and I was fascinated with how we analyzed current events through the lenses of various sociological thinkers. Soc 495 was an extremely eye-opening course in which I was provided the opportunity to be a part of an Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program at a correctional facility in Macomb. I was able to learn about the inequalities and complexities of our prison system alongside currently incarcerated individuals.

 

What do you hope to do after graduating from Michigan?

I am currently in the process of applying to law school. I am very interested in real estate/property law, but my ultimate goal is to work towards ensuring fair housing for marginalized individuals.

Have you participated in an internship or research experience?

I was a part of the Title IX Research Lab during my sophomore year through the Sociology Department. In that lab, I coded various U.S. colleges’ sexual assault policies and annual reports to understand the impact of Title IX regulations on how college campuses address and handle sexual misconduct. Additionally, this past year I worked on a research team through my minor (Intergroup Relations) where I focused on analyzing a variety of community responses to the Arab-Israeli conflict both on the U of M campus and in greater Metro-Detroit.

 

What advice would you give to students considering a major in Sociology at U-M?

Sociology is one of the only majors that provides you with the tools to understand the world around you. It is applicable to almost every area of future study, and I can confidently say that my Sociology courses have taught me invaluable information about how to approach my day-to-day experiences.

 

Where is the best place in Ann Arbor to get late-night study food?

The best place in Ann Arbor to get late night study food is most definitely BTB Burrito. The chips and queso there are truly phenomenal.