Department of Sociology and Criminology

Professional Bio

Alexander Vanhee is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Before arriving at Penn State, he graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He completed his master’s degree in spring 2021. The main focus of his current research is how context and organizational characteristics affect how defendants are sanctioned by both criminal and non-criminal agencies. However, Alex also maintains a broad interest in individuals and groups may respond to and are treated differently by criminal justice institutions based on their characteristics.