Worcester State University Professor of Criminal Justice and Department Chair Dr. Hyesun Kim has been elected to serve as the 9th President of the Korean Society of Criminology in America (KOSCA), a national academic organization dedicated to advancing Korea-related criminology and criminal justice research, education, and professional collaboration.
KOSCA is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization that brings together scholars, researchers, policymakers, administrators, and practitioners engaged in Korea-related criminology and criminal justice. Its mission is to promote comparative research, scholarly publications, and professional activities that strengthen collaboration between the United States, Korea, and the broader international community. Membership is open to members of the American Society of Criminology (ASC), the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), as well as Koreans and Korean Americans working in related fields.
Dr. Kim joined Worcester State in 2010 and has served as Chair of the Criminal Justice Department since 2022. Her teaching and research interests include corrections, offender rehabilitation, criminological theory, research methods, and hate crimes.
Dr. Kim co-founded KOSCA in 2009. The organization touts itself as one of the first societies [1] within the American Society of Criminology established on the basis of an ethnic group. Reflecting on her election, Dr. Kim emphasized both the personal and professional significance of the role.
“This recognition is both humbling and meaningful, as it allows me to represent the Korean American community,” said Dr. Kim. “I see this role as an opportunity to serve our academic community, foster collaboration among scholars in the United States, Korea, and beyond, and help prevent crime within Korean American communities.”
In her election address, Dr. Kim spoke candidly about her journey through academia, balancing the demands of teaching, research, and single parenthood while advancing from assistant professor to full professor. She reflected on the early days of KOSCA, recalling the challenges faced by Korean scholars navigating a field where they were often underrepresented, and celebrated how far the organization and its members have come.
“Those of us who once followed on crutches are now running side by side,” Dr. Kim said in her remarks. “We are no longer guests. Today, we stand as proud Korean criminologists, leading the field of criminology in the United States, Korea, and beyond.”
During her term as president, Dr. Kim plans to focus on increasing recognition of KOSCA members’ research and professional achievements, strengthening collaboration among scholars, and supporting joint research initiatives between the United States and Korea. She also emphasized KOSCA’s commitment to taking a leading role in preventing crime victimization within Korean American communities.
As part of its international outreach, KOSCA will host a “Study in the U.S.” information session during the Korea Joint Conference in South Korea this June, marking the organization’s first international event. Dr. Kim expressed appreciation for Worcester State’s support in making this milestone possible, noting that the university’s supportive academic environment has played a key role in her growth as a scholar and educator.
Dr. Kim’s election has been met with pride across the Worcester State community.
“Dr. Kim’s election as President of KOSCA brings honor and prestige to both the Criminal Justice Department and Worcester State University,” said Professor Aimée Delaney, Ph.D., co-chair of the Criminal Justice Department. “Her accomplishments—from being one of the organization’s inaugural founders to now serving as its president—reflect her dedication and perseverance. She is a role model for all students, especially those from underrepresented communities.”