Her research investigates the effects of success and failure in school and its connection to criminality in adulthood. She pays special attention to how pathways to crime are shaped by race and gender. Her other research areas include the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system and alternatives to incarceration in Washington state. She particularly enjoys bringing this area of research into her classroom in the form of an applied project in which students research and take on the roles of various community leaders and collaborate to design an alternative incarceration program for individuals whose crimes are related to mental health. These projects are always encouraging, as they show the innovation and social justice passion of UWT’s students, which they will undoubtedly carry forth to their future careers, benefiting the community.