A Q&A with Senior Psychology, Sociology and Criminology Major Daniel Webster

​Daniel Webster
Senior Majoring in Psychology, Sociology and Criminology, President of the Diversity and Inclusion Student Council, President of the Black Student Association, and Vice President of the Black Alumni Scholars Society

In this conversation, Webster talks about his research on the experiences of biracial and multiracial students; making lifelong friends at the U of A; his love of hiking, horror movies and road trips; his goal to get a master’s in public policy and then a law degree; and his hope to serve as a federal judge, legislator or in another future role that will help him be able to create lasting, positive structural change in underrepresented communities.

Q: Tell us a little about your academic passions, research and/or what you’re studying within the college. What excites you about this?

I am currently working on my Honors thesis within the sociology department.

My thesis topic is gender difference between Biracial college student in their sense of belonging at a predominately white institution. I am also interested in if code-switching has an effect on Biracial students’ sense of belonging.

I identify as biracial, my mother is white, and my father is black, and there hasn’t always been much representation of biracial people especially in higher education.

I am excited about my thesis because it can provide practical step for the University of Arkansas to be more welcoming to more biracial and multiracial students.

Q:How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I have been at the University of Arkansas for almost three and a half years. The thing that I have enjoyed most is the people that I have met and became lifelong friends with.

Q: What has your favorite class been so far and why?

My favorite class so far was Sociology of Criminal Law.

I plan to attend law school after graduation, and it was so cool to apply sociological theory to law development and application.

It also taught me how to write case briefs, which saved my life during some of my pre-law programs I got to take part in.

Q: What advice would you give to new students about to join the college?

Do not think that everyone else has their life together, things planned out, and all their ducks in a row. I promise everyone is just as confused, and slightly scared, of starting your adult life.

Don’t stress, breathe, take it one day at a time, and remember to let yourself have fun!

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

I like to go hiking on local trail, visit different parks with my dog, play board games with my friends, and watch horror movies with my roommates.

I also love to go on road trips. So far, my longest one was to D.C. which was an 18-hour drive for the Black Lives Matter March on Washington this past September.

Q: When do you anticipate graduating, and what’s up next on the horizon for you?

I plan on graduating in May 2021. I want to get my master’s in public policy and then my Law degree.

After many more years of schooling, I plan to work toward becoming either a federal judge or a legislator.

My hope is that no matter what I end up doing, I create lasting structural change to help underrepresented communities in the U.S. and across the globe.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

My last piece of advice is to never let someone else’s expectations determine what you can do.

If others do not believe in you, forget them.

Stay focused on your dreams and goals and work hard to prove that you can do it to yourself before anyone else.

Editor’s Note: Daniel Webster also recently appeared in one of the University of Arkansas’ first Determined to Succeed videos! Be sure to check it out: