This past fall, Rice’s sociology department, housed within the School of Social Sciences, welcomed four esteemed tenured and tenure-track faculty members: Associate Professors Corey Abramson, Joseph Ewoodzie, and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman and Assistant Professor Jaleh Jalili. Boasting a #10 undergraduate program ranking by niche.com, the Department of Sociology continues to raise the bar in teaching and research.
“Rice’s Department of Sociology is widely recognized as a prominent leader in the field,” said Jim Elliott, David W. Leebron Professor of Sociology and department chair. “The addition of these four trailblazing faculty members enhances our research and teaching and further advances our reputation as a top-tier program.”
Corey Abramson, who received a PhD in sociology from UC Berkeley, joined Rice after serving as an associate professor of sociology at the University of Arizona. Abramson’s research applies and develops empirical methods to understand social stratification, health and illness, medical systems, culture, and the social dimensions of aging.
“I’m thrilled to join Rice and look forward to advancing innovative research, fostering new collaborations, and mentoring students, while contributing to Rice’s unparalleled intellectual community,” said Abramson.
A PhD in sociology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Joseph Ewoodzie previously served as the Vann Associate Professor of Racial Justice at Davidson College. Ewoodzie, who is also an affiliated faculty member of the Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS), provides expertise in race, class, poverty, migration, urban sociology, and culture.
“It is a joy to be a part of this department,” said Ewoodzie. “My colleagues are some of the brightest and most respected scholars in their fields. As a mid-career black scholar, it is especially meaningful to have senior scholars who can provide excellent mentorship. And I can, in turn, do the same for our amazing junior scholars. I'm also thrilled to work with our graduate students. I come from a small liberal arts college, so I've never had grad students. I look forward to enjoying this part of being a professor.”
Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, who holds a PhD from Duke University, joined Rice after serving as an associate professor of sociology and the Racial Justice Initiative Chair at the University of South Florida. Hordge-Freeman specializes in race, gender, emotions, family, and African Diasporic studies, and she has a joint appointment in CAAAS.
"As I near the end of my first year, I am truly impressed by the caliber of students, the collegiality within the department, and the breadth of faculty research at Rice,” said Hordge-Freeman. “My joint appointment in sociology and CAAAS offers me a unique opportunity to leverage Rice’s interdisciplinary expertise to develop new immersive experiences – such as a one-week Civil Rights trip to Alabama – and research projects that have a broader impact.”
A PhD in sociology from Brandeis University, Jaleh Jalili previously held a postdoctoral fellow and lecturer position in Rice’s sociology department. Jalili centers her research and teaching on urban sociology, social movements, inequality, cultural sociology, gender, and the Middle East.
“It is wonderful to be part of this vibrant intellectual community as a faculty member,” said Jalili. “The level of excellence in research, collegiality, and commitment to teaching is inspiring. Engaging with colleagues across different methodological approaches and areas of research provides interesting opportunities for academic growth and research collaborations. I look forward to contributing to this great department and the broader Rice community.”
The diverse and esteemed cohort of new sociology faculty hires embodies the objectives of Rice’s 10-year strategic plan, Momentous.
“Rice leadership has emphasized their support and commitment to making Rice the premier institution for teaching and research,” said Rachel Kimbro, dean of the School of Social Sciences, Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, and professor of sociology. “The School of Social Sciences is dedicated to helping the university achieve these goals, as exemplified by the recent addition of these exceptional sociologists. It has been a pleasure and an honor to welcome them to our School.”
The vision of the Department of Sociology at Rice University is to advance knowledge of social processes and patterns, mentor a diverse set of scholars and students, and teach the state of the art in the field, engaging in service to the university, the discipline, and the larger community.