University News

WIU Anthropology Alumna Accepted into Yale School of Management

July 31, 2023

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University Anthropology alumna Niki Nation has proven just how outstanding our alumni are. Nation was recently accepted into Yale School of Management through the Women's Executive Leadership Program.

"Niki is a wonderful example of what our students go on to do with their degrees in Anthropology," said WIU Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Heather McIlvaine-Newsad. "As a student who came back to university while working full time, her curiosity to learn more about the world around her and how Anthropology relates to her career in health care is outstanding. We are all really proud of her for continuing her education and not the least bit surprised that she was accepted into the Women's Executive Leadership Program at Yale. Niki will continue to inspire those around her and do good things in the world."

Nation, a 2020 graduate of WIU's Anthropology program, minor in Computer Science, has since found her passion as a data engineer for OSF Healthcare.

"WIU Anthropology has made me more aware and compassionate in cultural and social differences of all people," said Nation. "I am much more open-minded of the sheer diversity and variation we have around us and delight in this fact."

Nation was inspired to continue her journey through leadership after many fond memories at WIU and the Archaeology Field School she attended in the summer of 2019.

"I absolutely adored all of my Anthropology professors; the four of them played a pivotal role in my flourishment at WIU where I maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout my degree," said Nation. "As such, I was saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Patricia Anderson. Her great teachings still live on."

To further the "people'' skills Nation developed at WIU, she plans to continue to learn and grow in the ever-changing world society lives in and position herself in a way that can serve those around her.

"I stay involved with WIU's Anthropology program through my professors, and I am always willing to help the program as I do serve as a proud WIU alumna," said Nation.

For more information on WIU's Anthropology program, visit wiu.edu/anthropology.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing