When Marina Rios ’26 presented her research project, “Rolling the Dice: Do Fostered Youth Stand a Chance in Juvenile Justice?” at two national conferences, it marked the culmination of years spent balancing academics, research, leadership roles, and multiple jobs at Arcadia.

The Criminal Justice and Criminology major, who is minoring in Forensic Investigations, presented this research at the American Society of Criminology annual meeting in Washington, D.C., and the annual Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences meeting in Philadelphia. In 2025, she also received the Center for Antiracist Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action (CASAA) Emerging Scholar Microgrant for the project.

While keeping up with her academics, Rios also held roles as a student photographer, member of the Criminal Justice Society and Pre-Law Association, a student member of the CASAA Hauntology Lab, and a member of the intramural flag football team this past season. She also served as ArcadiaFTK’s Head of Morale through the 2022-2023 school year. To keep up with her many responsibilities, the Bensalem, Pa. native had to learn how to recognize her limits and ask for help when needed.

“I’ve always held myself to a high standard, and with that comes an internal pressure to consistently perform at that level,” Rios said. “That expectation, while motivating, often made it difficult to admit when I needed support or guidance. Over time, I developed a stronger sense of self-discipline and balance, realizing that success isn’t just about doing everything independently, but about knowing how to sustain performance without compromising my well-being.”

Rios’s time forming relationships and working with faculty within the Criminal Justice department was imperative to her success.

“Being surrounded by peers who share similar academic and career goals made the experience feel both collaborative and motivating, rather than competitive,” she said. “At the same time, having the opportunity to learn directly from professors who are deeply intertwined and respected in criminology and criminal justice pushed me to think more critically and take my work more seriously. That combination made my time at Arcadia especially meaningful and helped shape both my confidence and direction moving forward.”

After graduation, Rios hopes to attend law school in Pennsylvania with a focus on criminal law. Before beginning that next chapter, she will travel to London and Puerto Rico and see a few concerts this summer.

As she looks toward the next stage of her education, Rios said her experiences at Arcadia left a lasting impact on both her academic and personal development.

“I’m grateful for how much my time at Arcadia has shaped both who I am and how I think,” Rios said. “My academic experiences in criminology and criminal justice have pushed me to approach complex issues with more depth, discipline, and curiosity, while the people I’ve met here have challenged and supported me in equal measure. 

“Leaving Arcadia feels meaningful in a way that is both emotional and grounding; I’ve grown attached to the community, but I also feel more than prepared to take the next step in my career. As I move forward, I carry with me a strong sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of justice, and a genuine appreciation for the foundation I’ve built here.”