The PADAWAN Society is an initiative by the Department of Anthropology to partner undergraduate majors with graduate mentors in support, promotion, and preparation of postgraduate studies.

Faculty Mentor, Professor Nelson

Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduates:

- must hold to Good standing status @ UNT
- in-Residence
- must have Junior or Senior standing (60+ hours)
- anthropology major

Graduates:

- must hold to Good Standing status @ UNT
- commit to significant engagement with mentee
- must be able to meet in-person (exceptions may be considered)

Membership Commitments

Undergraduates:

- attend 2 thesis presentations per year
- required Padawan enrichment events (i.e. workshops/seminars)

Grads:

- highly encouraged to accompany mentee to 2 thesis presentations per year

Accolades

In addition to becoming part of a supportive community, graduating Padawan members (mentors and mentees alike) will be recognized at the Departmental Awards Banquet "Communitas" and will receive a "Padawan pin" to wear as part of their graduation regalia.

Interested in Applying?

Undergraduate Application

Graduate Application

Questions can be sent to the faculty mentor, Melissa Nelson (melissa.nelson@unt.edu).

Padawan Alumna (B.A.) have been offered acceptance into the following graduate programs:

- J.D. Program at Georgetown Law
- M.A. in Anthropology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University
- Master's of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Master's Degree (MLitt) in Ethnology and Folklore at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland
- M.A. in Socio-Cultural Anthropology at the University of Manchester, U.K.
- M.S. in Applied Anthropology at the University of North Texas
- M.A. in Arts Leadership at the University of Houston
- Applied Astronautics Program in the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences
- Ph.D. in the Political Science Department at the University of North Texas
- M.A. in Library Science at the University of North Texas
- MBA at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas
- University College London's Digital Anthropology Program, U.K.
- M.S. in Geography at the University of North Texas
- M.A. in History (w/a Certificate in Public History) at Texas State University
- M.S. in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin

RESOURCES

PADAWAN WORKSHOPS

COMING SOON!

Conversations about researching grad school

School

Conversations About... Grad School - Fall 2025

Sketch Notes Webinar - Spring 2024

Life Coaching Seminar - Spring 2024

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The Missing Link Webinar - Spring 2023

7 LinkedIn Features to Land a New Career

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

Personal Statement Writing Webinar - Spring 2022

Pitching Anthropology Webinar - Fall 2021

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Webinar - Spring 2021

Peace Corps Webinar - Spring 2021

Highlights

BBQ Family Reunion 2025

84th Annual Society for Applied Anthropology Conference in Santa Fe

Mentee/Mentor, Amelia and Zach carpooled to New Mexico to share in the experience together!

A strong showing of Padawan Members at the conference that included not only participation but a panel presentation based on research mentored by Dr. Jamie Johnson: "Talking Trash in Texas: A Synthesis of Emergent Themes in Residential Recycling (ExtrAction & Environment TIG)".

Photographed: (Top Row) Ricardo, Nirvik, Zach, Jamie, Eva; (Bottom Row) Professor Nelson, Hannah, Amelia, and Zoe.

Not Photographed: Ellen

2024 Scholars Day

Celebrating the work of our 2023-2024 Padawan members who were selected as undergraduate research fellows: Amelia, Ellen, Ciara, Hannah, and Kathryn (Not pictured: Arianna). Joined and supported by fellow Padawans: (Top Row) Andres, Zach, Leo, Berkeley and (Bottom Row) Ricardo, Professor Nelson, Damares, and Laurie (Not pictured: Malka).