Vanessa CentellesView profile
Assistant Professor
Dr. Vanessa Centelles is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University, specializing in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She holds a PhD in Criminology from the University of South Florida (2024). Her research employs interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches to explore sociocultural factors influencing criminal behavior, victimization, and public perception, with a focus on marginalized and minoritized communities, particularly U.S. Hispanic/Latina/o/x populations. Methodological expertise includes survey design, primary data collection, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling. Key research areas include the impact of acculturation, discrimination, and ethnic identity on victimization and offending, as well as policy implications for sex work and gender-based violence. Her work has been published in journals like American Journal of Criminal Justice , Criminal Justice and Behavior , and Journal of Sex Research . She was honored as a 2023 Ruth D. Peterson Fellow by the American Society of Criminology. Dr. Centelles teaches courses such as SOC 358: Punishment and Society and SOC 357: Women, Crime, and Victimization. Her research emphasizes the intersection of culture, identity, and systemic inequities, aiming to inform policies addressing marginalized groups' vulnerabilities. Ongoing projects include examining generational differences in policy preferences and the role of technology in facilitating victimization via dating apps.








