Kelly Pierce (’20) studies punitive attitudes in the criminal justice system. While working on her master’s degree at UNT, she started research on public attitudes toward harsh punishment for crimes, which is now being funded by the University of Cincinnati where she is pursuing her Ph.D. She has contributed on two research publications with UNT criminal justice faculty mentors including one on anti-immigrant sentiment with Adam Trahan and another on protective effects of social bonds with Jessica Craig and Haley Zettler. Her current research focuses on human trafficking in Ohio. After finishing her dissertation, she hopes to continue research and work for a nonprofit or think tank.