Liberal Arts student explores global approaches to criminal justice reform

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From a young age, Noa Diggs knew she wanted to challenge injustice and advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. Now a third-year Penn State student majoring in criminology and double minoring in social justice in education and women’s studies, Diggs has dedicated herself to understanding and dismantling systemic inequalities. Her passion for policy reform and community activism has shaped both her academic journey and leadership roles, she said, positioning her as a future changemaker in law and public policy.

Diggs’ path toward advocacy was deeply influenced by personal experiences and pivotal societal events, she said. Initially drawn to law at just 8 years old, her focus evolved from environmental and family law to civil rights law following the murder of George Floyd and the nationwide surge of Black Lives Matter protests. This turning point fueled her commitment to addressing injustices within the legal system, particularly in areas like drug policy and sentencing disparities.

Diggs said her minors in social justice in education and women’s studies complement her criminology major by providing a holistic perspective on systemic inequities. Courses like WMNST 120: Sex, Gender, and the Body; and CI 185: Principles of Social Justice in Education, challenged her to critically examine societal structures and develop actionable solutions for addressing injustice.

She said she was particularly influenced by Teaching Professor of Sociology and Criminology Caren Bloom-Steidle, Associate Professor of Education and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Ashley Patterson, and Associate Teaching Professor of Education Efraín Marimón, who provided her with mentorship and opportunities to explore real-world applications of social justice.

Earlier this semester, Diggs traveled to Amsterdam to further her commitment to social justice through an embedded program offered by Penn State Berks. Diggs’ decision to study in Amsterdam, she said, was driven by her desire to explore alternative approaches to drug policy and social justice.

“This program offered a unique opportunity to study how other countries, like the Netherlands, address similar challenges,” she said. “Learning from their approaches deepened my understanding of solutions for the United States.”

With a keen interest in sentencing disparities and harm-reduction policies, Diggs said she was eager to examine how the Netherlands has successfully navigated drug decriminalization and addiction treatment. By comparing the Dutch system to that of the United States, she gained insights that informed her future career in public policy and diversity, equity and inclusion programming. She was particularly interested in how the Netherlands’ public health campaigns integrate mental health services with addiction treatment, a topic she has explored in her coursework.

Diggs applied for enrichment funding through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network to support her experience.

“This program in Amsterdam was my first opportunity to participate in a learning abroad experience, and I am incredibly thankful and excited to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and gain insights into how other countries approach complex social and policy challenges," she said.

Beyond academics, Diggs has actively worked to foster inclusion and belonging at Penn State. She serves as public relations chair for the Multicultural Undergraduate Law Association, where she helps amplify discussions on pressing social issues. She also plays a vital role as a community and belonging educator, supporting students of color and helping them feel represented and supported at a predominantly white institution.

She said her advocacy extends into organizing initiatives like “The Butterfly Wall,” a project aimed at honoring survivors of sexual violence and leading back-to-school drives to support students in need. She has also been a campus organizer for the Feminist Majority Foundation, where she worked to educate and mobilize students around issues of racial equity and reproductive justice. Additionally, she represented the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference in New York, highlighting her dedication to community engagement and cultural representation.

As Diggs looks ahead, she said she plans to pursue a dual master of public policy and juris doctor degree, with the ultimate goal of shaping policies that promote equity and justice. She said her studies — both at Penn State and abroad — have reinforced the importance of analyzing global approaches to systemic issues and bringing those insights back to the United States.

“I want to use what I’ve learned to help reimagine policies that impact marginalized communities,” she said. “This is just the beginning of the work I hope to do.”

With her unwavering dedication to advocacy, research and reform, Diggs said she is ready to make a lasting impact — both within Penn State and in the broader fight for social justice.