BA in Anthropology

Mikayla Miller, 2025

What was the most impactful class you took in your major? 

The most impactful class that I’ve taken within my major was ANTH 388: Human Osteology. This was the class I was looking forward to for my entire undergraduate career and it really solidified my interest in biological anthropology. Getting an in-depth understanding of the human skeleton has benefited me in the majority of my work in the past two years. I had the privilege of learning from Professor Klaus, and I was able to help out some of my fellow students with their studying too! All of this, along with the hands-on nature of the class, made it the most impactful. 

What activities were you involved in during your time at George Mason that impacted you? 

My job as a learning assistant has not only been the most impactful, but also the most fun and rewarding experience as an undergraduate. For my entire senior year, I have been a learning assistant for an upper-level forensic science class. This class was one of my favorites to take, so it makes sense that it’s even more fun to teach! Every week, I get to help students with lab activities surrounding forensic anthropology, create review sessions, and answer questions. Not only has this taught me useful skills related to teaching, but it has also allowed me to immerse myself in the content of one of my special interests. Because of this, I hope to teach my own classes someday. 

What is your most memorable moment at George Mason inside or outside of the classroom?  

My most memorable moments have come from outside the classroom with my friends. I have created some of the most long-lasting relationships with a wide range of people because of my classes and jobs, and clubs I have been a part of. My favorite memories I have from the past few years were my sophomore and junior year when my group of friends would meet up once a week at one of the campus offices and play card games together for hours. 

As you are reflecting on your time at George Mason, what is one piece of advice you would give a student who is just starting off on their George Mason journey?  

Get involved! From working at the Student Involvement office, being on the executive board of a few organizations, and volunteering at events, I feel like I have been able to experience as much as possible during my undergraduate career while still enjoying my classes! Some of my best experiences have come from the campus events I had the pleasure of being involved with and working at. Plus, seeing the joy on some of the new students’ faces at the large-scale events like Mason Day has been a major highlight. 

What is your next step after graduation? What are your future plans? 

My next step is to continue my studies as a graduate student here at George Mason. I’ll be pursuing a master's degree in anthropology with a concentration in bioarchaeology.