My name is Mary Sowell. I graduated with a degree in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University in 2026, where my academic work focused on the structural production of crime, residential segregation, and racialized criminal justice policy. My senior thesis examined segregationist governance in Newark, NJ and Chicago, IL, and how historical policy decisions shaped modern systems of surveillance and over-policing.Beyond the classroom, I have spent the past several years working directly within the criminal justice system. Through internships with the Office of the Public Defender in Newark, Newark Community Solutions, and the Correctional Association of New York, I have observed court proceedings, supported incarcerated individuals and their families, and contributed to advocacy work around prison conditions and reentry. As a Student Advocate with the New Jersey Clemency Project, I have drafted personal narratives for individuals seeking clemency, parole, and Megan's Law registry release.Having witnessed the human impact of the justice system up close, I felt a deep need to build a stronger theoretical and research foundation to complement my practical experience. I believe the criminology program at the University of Pennsylvania, situated in Philadelphia (a city with a rich and complex criminal justice landscape) will equip me with the analytical tools and contemporary frameworks to contribute meaningfully to criminal justice reform. I also hope to bring the perspective I have gained through years of direct community and legal work into the classroom.