I completed my PhD in Criminology at the University of Florida in the summer of 2020. I became interested in criminology because of my family background. No, I am not the child of some famous criminologist, rather, I have crime and substance use in my family background. By any measure, I was an “at risk youth.” Nevertheless, I have been able to eke out some modicum of academic success. Without a few key people, such as my grandparents and my wife, my life would have certainly turned out differently. The community in which I grew up, and organizations such as churches and other civic organizations, provided a context in which I could develop bonds to others, adopt beliefs that support treating others with respect and dignity, and all of these individuals and organizations helped me avoid going (too far) off the good path.
However, none of this should suggest that my path through higher education was traditional – it was not. I dropped out of the first college I attended. I withdrew from some of my courses and hoped to focus on those from which I never withdrew. Unfortunately, I ended up receiving F’s in those. I was facing some pretty difficult family circumstances, and thought I would never have the opportunity to return to college; therefore, I figured dropping out without formally withdrawing wouldn’t matter (youthful ignorance had a lot to do with my poor decision). A few years later, I returned to a community college (Georgia Highlands) where I received an A.A. in political science. At Georgia Highlands, I encountered some amazing professors who rekindled my love of learning and encouraged me to consider not only pursuing my bachelor’s but to also aim for graduate school. I then attended Shorter University where I pursued a B.A. in History and Political Science, and, after that, I attended Georgia Southern University where I earned an M.A. in the Social Sciences. Finally, I completed my PhD in criminology at the University of Florida. Life is interesting like that.