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First, tell us a little about yourself. 
I'm Rachael Rief, a new criminal justice assistant professor.

Why did you choose to study criminal justice?
I chose to study criminal justice because I was motivated to help and serve others in my community and found it interesting. Although I did not go into the field of criminal justice, I am motivated to equip my students with the skills and abilities to successfully serve their communities.

What are your main areas of research, and why did you choose those specific areas?
My research focuses on policing. I have examined correlates of police response, the role of gender in police organizations, and most recently, the pathways of women into policing. Over the next three years, I will be working to expand my research in the areas of women in policing, police practices, officer wellness, and program evaluation.

I initially chose to study policing after realizing the initial and beginning stage impact of police on individuals’ downstream criminal justice system involvement. In terms of gender and policing, I was motivated to uncover more about the dynamics of gender in policing after realizing how impactful aspects of police culture are on the recruitment and retention of women in the field. Additionally, I chose to do more program evaluation work as a postdoc because of realization of the direct impact that work can have in the field.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I love seeing how students grow in their perspectives and thoughts about specific topics in just a semester.

What do you hope your students gain from your courses?
I am hopeful students will gain a deep understanding of the functions and framework of the criminal justice system, understanding of philosophies behind proposed and current practices in the field, and a strong ethical mindset for decision-making as they prepare to enter the CJ field.

What did you do before pursuing a career in academia, and why did you decide to pursue teaching instead?
After completing my first semester of grad school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in academia. I had phenomenal mentors and professors who helped me realize the positive and profound impact professors can have on students in the classroom before they enter the field.

When you’re not teaching, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy doing anything outdoors. I love taking my dogs on trail walks, kayaking, and gardening. 

Do you have any fun facts that others may not know about you?
I am an avid reader of mystery novels, especially murder mysteries. Current favorites are cozy mysteries like The Maid by Nita Prose and Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.