Dr. Melissa E. Noel was accepted as a Fellow for the Racial Democracy, Crime and Justice Network's (RDCJN) 2024 Summer Research Institute (SRI). The SRI was held at the University of Maryland (College Park) and organized by Drs. Rod K. Brunson and María B. Vélez. It provides guidance for tenure-track faculty from underrepresented groups whose research focuses on crime and justice. The three-week intensive institute assisted Dr. Noel in the development of a research grant proposal. Dr. Noel presented this proposal at the SRI's two-day symposium among top scholars and professionals.