Sociology and Anthropology Department Student Ambassadors
The Sociology and Anthropology Ambassadors are a prestigious group of sociology and anthropology majors who assist with recruiting and advising events, orientations, and provide peer advising. SOA Ambassadors are a great resource for both current and future students and we encourage you to reach out to them at their contact information below to ask questions or learn more about our programs. Their office is located in Schroeder Hall room 316.
Ella Woodruff is in her third year here at Illinois State University and is currently Sociology Club’s president, one of three lab directors in Dr. Sprecher's lab, and this is her second year serving as an ambassador. Woodruff is a sociology and legal studies double major with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a certificate in Queer Studies. Sociology has always been a great passion for her, and she is looking forward to interacting with students who have an interest in her field of study. Please feel free to reach out to Woodruff with any questions that you have about our department and campus.
Tyler Despe is returning for a second year as an SOA Ambassador. Despe is a senior, and they will be graduating in May with dual degrees in sociology with a minor in food studies and economics with a minor in math. Despe has previously served as both a PR officer and a Co-Chair for the Young Democratic Socialists of America, as well as a research intern for Project XV Voting Museum. This year they are serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant for SOC106.
After working and building connections with people from a wide variety of backgrounds in environments such as vegetable fields, fast food kitchens, and the community college classroom, Despe enjoys learning about sociological explanations for the phenomena they observe in everyday interactions. They are thrilled to guide fellow students in finding sociology’s role in their own everyday lives.
Henrik Shulman transferred to Illinois State in fall '24 as a sociology major. He is TA in SOC 220 and he is looking forward to helping fellow student to learn more about classes, professors and sociology in general.
Audrie Schuller is a new ambassador in their third semester at Illinois State University. Schuller is an Anthropology major with a minor in food studies. They transferred from Illinois Central College with associate's degrees in culinary arts and hospitality management, and business. Their research concerns all things food, from historical cuisine to industrial agriculture to human nutrition.
Having found Anthropology later in their college journey, Schuller is excited to assist students discovering anthropology for the first time. They love helping people talk through their goals in the social sciences and discover how to turn their passions into academic pursuits. Please feel free to contact Schuller with questions about the department, their research, Illinois State, or anything else!
Sarah Schroeder is a current senior pursuing simultaneous degrees in Anthropology and Art History with minors in Classical Studies and Chemistry. They are also the current vice president of the Society of Student Anthropologists (SOSA) at Illinois State, as well as an active member of Latin Language Club and Women’s History Club. Sarah plans to go into art conservation/restoration and would love to chat about anthropology, museums, scheduling/advising, or any other questions!