SOCIOLOGY & CRIMINOLOGY NEWSLETTER 2026

COURTNEY ECHOLS

Courtney Echols is a system-impacted, first-generation college graduate and community organizer with the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, a community organization building power to abolish the police state. She also co-founded the Orange County Mutual Aid Collective, which centers radical Black, Indigenous, and other persons of color political agendas and struggles through direct action, advocacy, mobilization, and political education. She recently earned both her J.D. and Ph.D. in Criminology, Law & Society from University of California, Irvine through its joint JD/PhD program. Courtney holds a Master’s degree in Social Ecology from UC Irvine, where she also earned a B.A., graduating summa cum laude with triple majors in Criminology, Law & Society, Psychology & Social Behavior, and Social Ecology. Her primary research focuses on documenting historical anti-Black violence and intervening in its legacies, particularly in Louisiana, her home state. Courtney’s research also examines contemporary manifestations of anti-Black histories, especially anti-Black racism and oppressive conditions within the contexts of policing and the criminal legal system. Her work, as a community organizer, teacher, and researcher is grounded in critical reflection, accountability, and radical love, guided by two principles: Once Black people get free, everybody gets free, and to know the present, we must understand the history.

COCO JAMES

CoCo James is an Assistant Professor, Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Utah. In this and all capacities, CoCo is an intellectual troublemaker and emotional trouble-mender; she will disrupt you with data then hug you (with your consent!) to make sure you are okay. She holds a PhD in Sociology with an emphasis in gender and human sexuality, as well as a graduate certificate in Gender Studies and a Higher Education Teaching Specialist designation. In addition to her faculty appointment, CoCo’s interests in gender and sexuality extend to community engagement and activism of all kinds, from formal leadership in 501c3 organizations to marches and protests. Her non-profit work centers around sexual violence prevention, LGBTQ+ rights, education, and suicide prevention. When not teaching, you will find CoCo reading shrewd books and asking hard questions, hiking in a National or State Park, throwing a party, or offroading on terrifying but gorgeous desert roads.

KARMA ROSE ZAVITA

I'm Karma Rose (or "KR") Zavita, and I'm really looking forward to joining the department this fall! I am coming from Southern California, where I've been teaching at Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine, and working with UCI's Teaching and Learning Center on pedagogical development. I'm joining you all at what feels like an exciting moment of growth for the department.

My research spans two areas: I study campus sexual violence, Title IX policy, and legal consciousness (with a current project examining institutional messaging and its impacts on reporting), and I also focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning. Even when the subject matter is heavy, I'm committed to finding creative, engaging ways to bring it to life in the classroom and help students connect it to their lives beyond campus. 

On a personal note, I'm excited to explore everything Utah has to offer. Arches is already my favorite National Park, so I'm looking forward to spending more time outdoors with my young son, husband, sister, and dog, who will be joining me. We're also big foodies and coffee enthusiasts, so if you have favorite spots in Salt Lake City, please (no really) send them my way!