Student Organizations

Anthropology Club

Julia Sponholtz and Courtney Helfrecht handing out popcorn at the Arts and Sciences homecoming tentThe Anthropology Club at The University of Alabama was founded to stimulate interest and proficiency in anthropology, to promote awareness of the many career options in the field of anthropology, and to foster undergraduate and graduate research/professionalization.  The Anthropology Club acts as a forum in which students of all levels and sub-fields can establish communication to support each other in their anthropological endeavors.

There are no membership requirements to participate in Anthropology Club activities. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Anthropology Club also oversees the Student-Led Anthropology Mentoring Program (SLAM) which pairs undergraduate students with UA Anthropology graduate students. These mentors are available to help students with preparation for graduate school, advising on research and fieldwork opportunities, professionalization activities like preparing a curriculum vitae, and more. For more information, please reach out to SLAM Coordinator Eden Blackwell (beblackwell@crimson.ua.edu).

Current Officers (2022-2023)

Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, Beta Chapter of Alabama

The Lambda Alpha Beta Chapter encourages scholarship and research in anthropology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students, faculty, and other persons engaged in the study of anthropology. Lambda Alpha Beta strives to meet the following objectives:

  1. Offer a space for students to engage with one another in a non-academic setting.
  2. Host at least one activity that promote hands-on learning through social engagement per semester.
  3. Engage in efforts to decolonize the field by supporting partnerships with community organizations in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Current Officers (2022-2023)

Activities

Meetings are held at least twice a semester, with one meeting consisting of the induction ceremony. At the beginning of each academic year, the President collects survey responses from anthropology students to identify interests and goals for the chapter. In Fall 2021, Lambda Alpha Beta Chapter supported a local fundraiser by Schoolyard Roots, a non-profit dedicated to mitigating food insecurity through the incorporation of hands-on learning gardens in 11 elementary schools across Tuscaloosa. Members of Lambda Alpha attended their “Moveable Feast:” a six-day event in which restaurants featured fresh produce from Schoolyard Roots’ gardens. Lambda Alpha members toured the town, purchasing special items from the menus. Future activities include hosting study groups, educational trainings (e.g., grant-writing workshops, poster design workshops, etc.).

Membership

Any persons interested in becoming members who meet the academic requirements of the organization may join. No interview is required. Undergraduates must be currently enrolled with 12 hours completed in the Anthropology program. An anthropology GPA of 3.0 and an overall GPA of 2.5 are required. Graduates must be in good departmental standing, with a cumulative GPA of 3.25. Faculty members must be in good standing in the institution and are connected with the discipline of anthropology are automatically eligible for membership. New members shall be inducted once every year. To become a member, contact Emily Locke at ellocke@crimson.ua.edu.

Anthropology Graduate Student Association

The Anthropology Graduate Student Association (AGSA) represents the broad interests of graduate students in the anthropology department. AGSA is the primary avenue for anthropology graduate students to organize around issues which impact their academic careers while at the University of Alabama. In particular, AGSA aims to advocate for and provide resources that assist graduate students related to financial, professional, and psychological well-being. Additionally, AGSA promotes open and respectful communication across the department.

Membership

All current graduate students are automatically granted general membership, but AGSA is stewarded but five elected executive council members. Elections are at the end of the fall semester.

Current Officers (2022-2023)

Graduate students are encouraged to reach out to members of the AGSA executive board to voice concerns, collaborate on programmatic improvements, and learn more about AGSA’s current projects.