My passion for criminology was sparked during my travels to Southeastern Europe, where I observed firsthand how many of our theories of criminal behavior fall short in different cultural contexts. This experience drove me to explore how crime and justice are understood and addressed across various regions, leading to my deep interest in cross-comparative criminology, transnational crime, public criminology, and juvenile justice. As an alum of UMKC, I have a profound appreciation for the unique culture and environment the university fosters, which ultimately drew me back to contribute to this vibrant community.