Strengthening Connections in Anthro Society

Strengthening Connections in Anthro Society

By Elena Sandoval, Anthro Society President

When I first entered college as a prospective Anthropology major, I was a quiet and shy freshman who was too nervous to participate in class, get involved in any Anthropology events or introduce myself to any of the professors. This lasted for a year until I enrolled in a two-unit lab class that had the added bonus of introducing me to the club known as Anthro Society. The first event I went to was an ice cream social (free food, heck yes) where I was introduced to other Anthropology majors and began to make connections with other undergraduates that would eventually turn into several strong friendships. I began to get involved in the club, which introduced me to professors and graduate students. It was amazing to be included in a group where everyone shared the same passion for Anthropology as I did.

After my initial introduction into Anthro Society, I began attending as many events as possible, which led to running for an officer position during my junior year. I was elected vice president, which allowed me to help plan events that would hopefully strengthen our student community. Serving as an officer also opened the door to meeting professors and staff, which caused me to reach a very important understanding: Anthropology professors and staff are not terrifying. They are in fact the friendliest and most helpful people on this campus and will do whatever it takes to see you succeed.

This past year, my senior year, I served as Anthro Society’s president. This year we focused on having more social events with museum trips, murder mystery nights, dinners downtown, and more. We also hoped to strengthen connections between undergraduates and graduate students by hosting informal talks where undergraduates could ask about research and the process of getting accepted into a graduate program.

Being part of Anthro Society has equipped me with the confidence and experience needed to enter the professional realm of anthropology. It has also given me the opportunity to make connections with our professors and staff who have guided me throughout my undergraduate career and will no doubt always be there if I need them. I will never forget the experiences or the friendships that were formed throughout my time in this club. I hope Anthro Society will continue to be a place where anthropology students can make lasting friendships and gain the confidence they need to succeed in this discipline and in life.