Makeela J. Wells

Education

Ph.D., Mississippi State University (Sociology with a concentration in Criminology)

M.A., Jackson State University (Criminology and Justice Services)

B.S., University of Mississippi (Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Law Enforcement; minor in Mathematics)

About Me

Dr. Makeela J. Wells is an associate professor of sociology and the Sociology Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at Auburn University. Her work spans criminology, criminal justice policy, applied sociology, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Dr. Wells’ research primarily examines federal sentencing policy, with particular attention to how the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 has influenced sentencing decisions for crack and powder cocaine offenses and how race and gender shape sentencing outcomes. Her research also examines risk and perceptions of risk among law enforcement and correctional officers, contributing to a broader understanding of occupational risk, workplace safety, and the experiences of criminal justice practitioners. Her scholarship in these areas has been published in the American Journal of Criminal Justice, Feminist Criminology, and The Police Journal.

More recently, Dr. Wells’ scholarship has expanded to include the scholarship of teaching and learning in sociology and criminology. Her pedagogical interests include digital and visual literacy and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning. Through this work, she explores ways to help students strengthen their critical thinking, research, communication, and applied sociological skills.

In her role as Sociology Undergraduate Program Director, Dr. Wells supports curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment and retention, experiential learning, and initiatives that connect sociology students with internships, community organizations, graduate education, and professional opportunities.

Dr. Wells is also committed to applied and community-engaged sociology. She has served as a program evaluator for the Opelika Police Department’s Critical Response and Incident Training initiative, applying sociological and criminological research to the evaluation of programs designed to strengthen law enforcement responses within the community. She also works to develop partnerships with community organizations that expand internship and professional learning opportunities for sociology students.

Student mentorship is central to Dr. Wells’ teaching and program leadership. She mentors undergraduate and graduate students in research, professional development, graduate school preparation, and career exploration while creating opportunities for students to connect their sociological training with professional practice and community engagement.

Dr. Wells’ teaching emphasizes experiential and applied learning. She encourages students to move beyond simply learning sociological concepts by using theory, research, data, and critical analysis to examine real-world social problems and institutions. Her approach seeks to help students understand complex social issues while preparing them to become critical thinkers, effective practitioners, and engaged members of their communities.

Research Interests

federal sentencing policy; race, gender, and sentencing; risk and perceptions of risk among law enforcement and correctional officers; scholarship of teaching and learning in sociology and criminology; digital and visual literacy; and AI-engaged teaching and learning

Courses Taught

• SOCY 1000: Sociology: Global Perspectives
• SOCY 2000: Social Issues
• SOCY 2050: Crime and Justice in America
• SOCY 3100: Police and Society
• SOCY 3200: Sports in America
• SOCY 3500: Social Inequalities
• SOCY 3550: Delinquency and Juvenile Justice
• SOCY 3700: Methods of Social Research
• SOCY 4100: Deviance
• SOCY 5600/6600: Sex Crimes
• SOCY 5970/6970: Special Topics: Sociology of Violence