2023 Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence

Tim McCuddy, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Dr. McCuddy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. He received his Ph.D. in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2018 and worked as a research professor before joining the UofM in 2019.

His research focuses on the causes and consequences of youth crime and violence by examining how schools, neighborhoods, and the internet impact offending and victimization. He specializes is peer groups and crime, school safety, and the role of digital communication in the etiology of delinquent and criminal behavior.

His current work focuses on examining various disparities and consequences of contact with the criminal legal system. Dr. McCuddy also serves a faculty affiliate of the Urban Affairs Ph.D. program where he teaches and mentors doctoral students.

He is also the recipient of the 2023 Michael K. Harless Faculty Excellence Award.

Kendra Murphy, Associate Professor of Teaching and undergraduate advisor, Department of Sociology

Ms. Murphy is an Associate Professor of Teaching and undergraduate advisor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Memphis. She earned her Bachelor's in Sociology at the University of

 Central Arkansas in 2003 and her Master's in Sociology at the University of Memphis in 2007. Upon graduating, she began teaching as a full-time instructor at the University and in 2012, she became the undergraduate advisor for the Sociology department.

Ms. Murphy teaches undergraduate courses both in-person and online, including Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Sociology for Pre-Med and Pre-Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sociology of Gender, Sociology of Deviant Behavior, Marriage and Family, Contemporary Social Problems and Social Statistics. Ms. Murphy was the recipient of the 2013 College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching award, the 2014 Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2016 College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Award for Advising Excellence, the 2017 W. Russell Smith Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2019 Top Teaching Award.

Ms. Murphy's teaching is focused on helping students develop critical thinking and writing skills that they can use throughout their lives. She is best known for her creative lectures on social deviance, which is her favorite topic to teach. Whether by discussing statistics or bringing furries into the classroom, Ms. Murphy is committed to helping all of her students in developing their sociological imaginations.