Lauren Golden selected as Outstanding Sociology Senior for 2025

April 28, 2025 - Karessa Weir

Once Lauren Golden learned exactly what the field of Sociology encompasses, she made it her mission to embrace all aspects of the science from lectures and research to helping to lead the Sociology Club.  
 
“I was so intrigued by the world and the complexities that build it, being able to get a grasp on the foundations, and learn why humans are the way they are,” Lauren said. "The biggest thing that I've taken with me is really just a good grasp on understanding the society around me. I think that's what drew me to Sociology.” 
Not only has her work earned her the title of Outstanding Senior, Lauren recently learned she has been accepted into the University of Oxford for graduate study this fall. She has also been nominated for the Richard Lee Featherstone Endowed Prize. 
 
“Lauren Golden is outstanding! As someone who regularly teaches hundreds of students each semester, Lauren shines and stands out amongst the crowd. I have had the great pleasure of working with Lauren in a number of capacities including faculty/student, mentor/research assistant, faculty/ULA, among others. Working with Lauren is joyful and I will miss her as she heads off to do amazing things at Oxford University (and beyond!),” said Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Sarah Prior. 
 
Her first experience with Sociology was SOC 216 Gender, Sex and Sexuality with Dr. PJ Pettis. It was her first in-person class after COVID-19 and the one that lead to her to switch her major from Psychology to Sociology. 
 
“PJ, the professor, is amazing. The class opened my eyes to the world of Sociology and I was really able to talk to PJ,” Lauren said.  
 
She also has a minor in women’s and gender studies which meshed well with the research work she has done with Dr. Prior through a Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) and as a research assistant. Lauren is a student leader in the Bailey Scholars program earning a minor in Leadership in Integrated Learning.  
 
Lauren and Dr. Prior are currently drafting a book manuscript proposal and recently returned a revise and resubmit manuscript based on their work.  
 
“My favorite memory is my research experience with Sarah. This is my second year working with her and it is what made me fall in love with research,” Lauren said. “I just cannot thank Sarah enough for all the amazing things she’s done for me. She quite literally held my hands and walked me through everything and made me into the scholar I am today, and the person I am today.” 
 
Aside from academics, Lauren is grateful for the friends and networks she has created through her time in the Sociology Club. As secretary of the club, she helps to create and shape the group’s activities, planning events, reporting minutes for their meetings, and working to promote the SOC major and minor around campus, as well.  
 
“I’ve met some of my best friends in the Sociology department. I have found like-minded people who have the same interests, and the same thought processes as me. These are people who care about the world and the people around them and that has just been my favorite part of being here,” she said.  
 
Her work to promote Sociology has benefited both the department and the College of Social Science, said senior academic advisor Regan Kania.  
 
“Lauren is very enthusiastic about her major and enjoys talking about it with others.  She has helped the Sociology Department by attending events on campus where faculty and advisors meet with interested high school students and their parents to help provide information about what Sociology is at MSU, and what we have to offer for their education,” Kania said.  
 
In addition, Lauren has attended events on campus where new students attending MSU and exploring majors can ask her questions about her experiences.   
 
“She is an excellent spokesperson for our major.  The students she meets with enjoy hearing from her and think of her as more of a “peer”, and they value her perspective and the experiences she shares, instead of just listening to the faculty and advisors descriptions of what the program can offer,” Kania said. 
 
Sociology Chair Carla Pfeffer said Golden will be remembered as a “student superstar.” 
“Sociology students care about the world we live in, learn about social dynamics, and develop skills and tools to change our world for the better. Lauren is a shining example of using social science knowledge and methods to work toward greater social justice. She’s already done so much as an undergraduate student, we know that she will have many successes in her graduate studies and future career,” Pfeffer said.  
 
After her studies at Oxford, Lauren plans to return to the U.S. for a PhD in Sociology where she hopes to continue her research in political Sociology, social injustices and social inequalities through an intersectional lens with gender.  
“My proposed master study research is to look at far right political ideology, and how their language and rhetoric is impacting perceptions of gender equality within their spheres,” she said.