Students - Sociology And Anthropology

Emma Roach is a recent graduate of the Anthropology program at NMU. In March 2025, she traveled to Baltimore to present two posters at the annual meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Emma presented a poster in the Undergraduate Research Symposium titled "Sex-Based Frequency Variations in Dental Caries Prevalence," which was a project she completed as part of her participation in the ARISE (Anthropological Research in Science Education) program at Penn State this past summer. Emma also presented a poster in the regular meeting that she collaborated on with Dr. Albee, titled "Examining Ethics Education in Undergraduate Anthropology: A review of 100 degree programs."

Joseph Allen is an Anthropology major at NMU. In March 2025, he traveled to Chicago to present his research at a roundtable session at the annual Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) conference. This presentation was titled "Relationship between Norm Adherence and Perceived Solidarity in Online Communities."

Natalie White is a graduate of the Anthropology program at NMU. In March 2024, she traveled to Santa Fe to present her research at the Society for Applied Anthropology annual conference. Natalie's paper was titled "Understanding of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder among Michigan Adults."

Elizabeth Rockburn is a graduate of the Anthropology program at NMU. In March 2024, Elizabeth traveled to the American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA) 93rd Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California with Dr. Albee. She presented a poster on "Rib and sternum fracture prevalence in a modern donated skeletal collection," as part of the AABA Committee on Diversity (COD) Undergraduate Research Symposium. Dr. Albee had this to say about the experience, "Elizabeth contributed to the conversation about trauma in modern donated skeletal collections and how CPR guidance might impact the prevalence of that trauma. This is important work coming out of our forensic donation program here at NMU!"

Savannah Koontz is a graduate of the Anthropology program at NMU. In April 2023, Savannah traveled to the American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA) 92nd Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada with Dr. Albee. She presented a poster on "Colorblindness and inaccessibility of textbook images in Anthropology," as part of the AABA Committee on Diversity (COD) Undergraduate Research Symposium. Dr. Albee had this to say about the experience, "It was very successful, and she generated a lot of interest in making Anthropology more accessible!"

Mandy Bonesteel a Sociology Major is the Student Spotlight for our Sociology and Anthropology Department. Mandy's McNair research was published in 2022 in the Journal of Student Research an Academic, Multidisciplinary, and Faculty-reviewed Journal based in Houston, TX! To read about Mandy's research click here. Mandy was also awarded the BOT Non-traditional Student Achievement Award at NMU!

"My professors and the NMU community have been amazing these past few years. Without the passion that NMU professors have for helping their students succeed and the support they have provided, I would never have gotten to where I am now. The phrase 'it takes a village' comes to mind, and having a supportive community and people to nudge, push, and support you is the difference between success and failure. Four years ago I was terrified to go back to college as an almost-40-year-old. I was afraid of failure, of not fitting in, or just giving up. But because of the people I surrounded myself with- friends, professors, and community members- I accomplished more than I ever thought possible."