Rocio A. Paez

Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Arkansas

Dr. Rocio Paez is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Rocio Paez's interests include criminological theory, the intersection of race, immigration, and crime, and the role that networks and institutions play in neighborhood crime. In line with her research focus, her dissertation consisted of a macro-level analysis of the influence of military presence on crime rates in American communities. Her work has been published in journals such as American Journal of Criminal Justice, Deviant Behavior, and Computers in Human Behavior. She is a member of the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and regularly presents her work at regional, national, and international conferences. Paez will be teaching required courses and electives for the online minor in criminal justice.

"I am honored and excited to be joining the department and look forward to developing new interdisciplinary connections with faculty and students," said Paez.

Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Paez received her Bachelor of Arts (2012, summa cum laude), Master of Arts (2014), and Doctor of Philosophy (2017) in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Before joining the faculty at the University of Arkansas, Paez served as an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Ball State University. She came back to Arkansas to be closer to her family.

"I am absolutely delighted to have these outstanding scholars join the department," said Anna Zajicek, department chair. "Their level of achievement is very impressive and their areas of expertise strengthen our strategic areas of emphasis: health/wellbeing, crime, and data analytics. We are very excited to have these researchers and educators on our team and we look forward to their continued success."

Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences

Sociology & Criminology

Rocio A. Paez

Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Arkansas