Auburn University Anthropology Program

Recent anthropology program graduate Manna Mathews was featured by the College of Liberal Arts! Congrats to Manna on graduation and all of her future pursuits!

Because of the generosity of the Auburn Family, Auburn University Anthropology Program alumna Manna Mathews was able to explore her passions, gain hands-on experience and discover a calling centered on helping others.

Manna built an interdisciplinary foundation for her future, earning minors in sociology, psychology and political science while deepening her understanding of people, perspectives and communities.

She turned that knowledge into action through internships with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles and the U.S. Probation Office of the Southern District of Alabama, where she shadowed officers working directly with probationers and observed court testimony. She also conducted archaeological research at Auburn’s field school at Camp Watts in Notasulga.

Now, Manna is preparing for a career helping people rebuild their lives- proof that scholarship support empowers Auburn students to make a lasting difference.

Read her full story: https://aub.ie/R28BaE

Congrats to all of the Anthropology students who qualified for Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society! Pictured here are two new Lambda Alpha members, Kaden Holbrook and Charlee Bryant (with Society advisor, Dr. Berk) at the end of Spring semester.

Congrats to all graduating seniors! Here are just a few of our graduating seniors: (left to right) U'ilani Dodd, Mia Bakotic, Kaden Holbrook, Ella Schneider, Thea Bishop, and Sofia Foradori

Last week, students in "Magic, Myth, Ritual: Anthropology of Religion" presented on their semester-long infographic projects. The class presented their projects on the Digital Wall in the and they will remain viewable for some time. Students worked on their teamwork/collaboration, communication, and digital design skills with these projects, creating visually appeal and informative projects.

Stop by the Digital Wall and check out their excellent work!

Congrats to dual Anthropology and History major, Sofia Foradori, for being selected as the CLA graduation marshal!

We're proud to recognize Sofia Foradori as our spring 2026 student marshal!

A double major in the Auburn University History Department and the Auburn University Anthropology Program, Sofia has made the most of her time on the Plains, serving as president of the History Club, contributing as an undergraduate law review editor and representing the department as a student ambassador.

Her impact extends far beyond the classroom. From supporting civic engagement with the League of Women Voters of East Alabama - LWVEA to serving the community through The Campus Kitchen at Auburn University, Sofia has embraced every opportunity to connect knowledge with purpose.

After graduation, she will take that passion to Washington, D.C., as an intern with the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Join us in congratulating her as she leads the College of Liberal Arts into commencement on May 1!

Learn more about Sofia: https://aub.ie/NG5K6t

Congrats to both Cameron Troyer and Mira Sleasman on defending their thesis proposal! Both Cameron and Mira graduated from program and are now graduate students at Southern Mississippi.

Cameron's research addresses patterns of commingling seen in the Newton Plantation cemetery in order to contribute toward eventual respectful and dignified reburial.

Mira's research synthesizes construction material data with geospatial analysis to help us better understand the lives of the soldiers at Camp Watts, a Civil War Camp of Instruction located in east central Alabama.

We're so proud of both of you!

Y'all, folks are ending the semester on 🔥! Anthropology major (and future graduate student at the University of Zagreb) Mia Bakotic just had another publication come out, this time in the University of Michigan's Undergraduate Journal of Anthropology, Crossroads. You can read Mia's article here: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/crossroads/2026/04/14/blood-and-bridle/

Congrats, Mia! 🦅

Congrats to our favorite biological anthropologist, Dr. Kristrina Shuler, on her promotion to Full Professor! 🦅

You can see the full list of faculty who were promoted here: https://auburn.edu/academic/provost/p&t/2025-2026/

Anthropology majors and minors, join us tomorrow afternoon (2pm) in Haley 2139 for our end of the semester gathering!

Congrats to Auburn University senior (Anthropology major and president) for publishing her article "Pseudo-Archaeology: The Fight to Preserve History" in the Southeastern Archaeological Conference's newsletter Horizon and Tradition! You can view the whole newsletter @https://www.southeasternarchaeology.org/wp-content/uploads/Horizon-and-Tradition-681.pdf

🦅