Prospects of conducting exciting research influenced grad to study criminal justice

'As a criminologist there are quite a few issues that I believe need mending'


November 30, 2021

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2021 graduates.

When Abiud Hernandez-Garcia began studying criminology and criminal justice at ASU, he thought he wanted to be a police officer. But the Avondale, Arizona, resident said he was never quite convinced it was the correct career path for him. Abiud Hernandez-Garcia, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, fall 2021, outstanding graduate Abiud Hernandez-Garcia, fall 2021 outstanding graduate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Submitted photo Download Full Image

Then, sometime during his sophomore year of his bachelor’s degree program, the excitement of making discoveries in the field through research struck him.

“I realized I wanted to study crime and the criminal justice system,” said Hernandez-Garcia, now a Master of Science degree recipient and the fall 2021 Outstanding Graduate from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Hernandez-Garcia credited his work with Cody Telep, an School of Criminology and Criminal Justice associate professor who guided him through many research projects, for helping him reach this conclusion.

“He taught me the importance of every research topic, no matter how insignificant it may seem,” said Hernandez-Garcia, who also was enrolled in ASU’s Barrett, The Honors College.

Hernandez-Garcia said Telep accepted him as an undergraduate research fellow with no experience.

“By working alongside him, I became familiar with the process of research sooner than I would have otherwise and learned the importance of studying every aspect of a topic,” Hernandez-Garcia said.

Hernandez-Garcia said Telep’s mentorship helped him gain invaluable experience and confidence in his ability as a researcher.

“I should note this funny detail, however,” he said. “I have never had Professor Telep as an instructor.”

After graduation, Hernandez-Garcia said he hopes to remain at the university in some capacity, either as an instructor or as a doctoral student, and to give back to the greater community as a volunteer firefighter.

Read on to learn more about how Hernandez-Garcia’s ASU experience prepared him for his next steps:

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you, that changed your perspective?

Answer: One moment in my education that stands out to me was learning for the first time that criminals are specialists. People who commit crimes usually only commit a very specific kind of crime. This, along with the realization that crime in many instances is a result of struggle or trauma, made me realize that if not treated correctly, crime is like a hydra, growing two heads where we sever one. Because of these changes in my perspective, I now believe that the criminal justice system should work more closely to a social-work model, seeking to fix the root causes of social issues rather than endlessly treating the symptoms.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I chose ASU because it was the closest to home for me. I still had to work and help support my family while studying, and ASU allowed me to have the on-campus student experience while still going home on weekends for work.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: I believe students still in school, especially in their early years, should not be afraid to experiment with the opportunities presented to them. Oftentimes I was hesitant to try new activities and I believe I would not be where I am today if I had not left my comfort zone. However, leaving that zone was not of my own volition. I received advice and motivation from my ASU 101 instructor and other loving staff and faculty in my college when I was presented with new and daunting opportunities. So my second piece of advice would be to listen to advice!

Q: What was your favorite spot to study, meet friends or to just think about life?

A: During my early ASU days, I spent a lot of time in the boxing room of the downtown Phoenix YMCA at the Sun Devil Fitness Center. I would head out there before dawn and practice some drills or just spar with the punching bag. I also met Birdie, an old boxing coach, while I trained there. He gave me life lessons while making me dodge his punches. It was a spot I cherish that I would not have experienced had it not been for ASU.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I hope to remain at the university in some capacity. I have been an instructor for ASU 101 and would like to continue working with and teaching undergraduates. I also plan to apply for the doctoral program here at ASU to continue my studies in research. In my free time, I’d like to become a volunteer firefighter, to still contribute to our first responders on the front lines.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: As a criminologist there are quite a few issues that I believe need mending. First among them, however, is conducting solid, replicable research to support rehabilitation programs and generate more reliable forms of funding for them to keep minor offenders out of jail or prison. As I have stated before, I believe crime is only the product of struggle. By helping people who had to resort to crime simply because of their difficult circumstances, we may be able to prevent them from becoming better criminals and instead give them a better chance to improve their lives. This outlook, however, is not as widely accepted as it could be. A critical part of this is the lack of reliable research on the subject, which is an issue in many social sciences, but with funding it would be a lot easier to work around.

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Mark J. Scarp

Media Relations Officer, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions

602-496-0001

Government's workings, role in society intrigued grad to seek MPA degree

'What surprised me was how much responsibility local governments have'


November 30, 2021

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2021 graduates.

The workings of government and its role in society fascinated Abdulkadir Abdi enough to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree, and Arizona State University was the place to do it. Abdulkadir Abdi, School of Public Affairs, fall 2021, outstanding graduate Abdulkadir Abdi, fall 2021 Outstanding Graduate, School of Public Affairs. Submitted photo Download Full Image

Abdi, a native of Somalia, was impressed with ASU’s School of Public Affairs.

“The School of Public Affairs has a big reputation for providing a quality education,” said Abdi, the school’s fall 2021 Outstanding Graduate. “SPA has a good relationship with local governments in Arizona. Many city officials came to our classes and gave presentations about local government. I gained significant knowledge from those officials.”

In addition, several of Abdi’s family members live in the Phoenix area, and ASU offered the most affordable tuition of three schools recommended by a trusted undergraduate political science professor.

The master’s degree curriculum taught Abdi much about the power of local governments in the United States.

“What surprised me was how much responsibility local governments have,” said Abdi, whose U.S. hometown is Buffalo, New York. “Local governments provide all the essential services. I always thought state and federal governments provide all the services that citizens need. Now, I work for a government consulting firm. We help local governments streamline their service delivery. We also consult in economic development and in parks and recreation.”

Abdi could not study at the school library due to COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, he did so at home, accumulating plenty of time each week: three hours for every credit enrolled.

“I asked my professors how many hours I should study for a class. They said nine hours for each three-credit class each week,” Abdi said. “I worked part-time and studied at least nine hours for each class.”

Abdi’s firm helps local governments in economic development, parks and recreation, software and human resources. Abdi plans to return to Somalia and work to help local governments there.

Read on to learn more about Abdi’s ASU experience:

Question: Which professor(s) taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

Answer: Cynthia Seelhammer and Zhiyong Lan taught academic and real-life lessons. I had conversations with them after each class. They advised me about career choices in local government. These two professors have vast knowledge in many areas of local government. Their advice changed my perspective toward public and private jobs. There are so many ways that students can add value to their communities. I did not regret coming to Arizona and studying for my MPA at the School of Public Affairs.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: I enjoyed every moment I was at school. I met new people and made new friends. I am not the same person that I was two years ago. I know more than I knew yesterday. I would advise every student to sit in the front seat and engage with the professor. Students should always ask questions. There are no stupid questions.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: College tuition is expensive and there are many immigrant students who cannot afford to go to college. They do not want to borrow money and some of them have big student loans. I would pay their debts or pay their tuition. I arrived in the United States alone, and most of my immediate family lives in Somalia. I know how difficult it is to work and go to school. Student loans prevent immigrants from buying new houses or having new families.

The School of Public Affairs is part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Mark J. Scarp

Media Relations Officer, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions

602-496-0001