What will college life be like? How can you find support in college? Welcome back to our Student Spotlight series, where you can meet real UNH students, explore college life through their eyes and learn more about why they love UNH. Meet Ella Tartsa '25, an anthropology and justice studies dual major with a minor in forensics.
Ella Tartsa
1. How did you choose your major?
I came to UNH undeclared. I always knew I wanted to dual major in justice studies, but taking Introduction to Forensic Anthropology and finding the Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery (FAIR) Lab here at school sealed the deal for me. I decided to declare my main major as anthropology. My forensics minor was something that I decided on with my discovery of the FAIR Lab and the field of forensic anthropology, as well.
2. Who has been your most impactful professor?
My most impactful professor has been Professor Samantha McCrane. I had her during the fall semester of the 2023-2024 academic year for an honors version of the Fossils, DNA and Evolution class. She expressed to me that she was willing to work with me and help me in any way possible in the lab and for my future. Since then, I have had the pleasure of continuing to work with her in the FAIR Lab, taking over the lab manager position this year. I continued to work with her through my internship for justice studies, which I am doing through the lab, over the summer when she and I received a grant from the Global Racial and Social Inequity Lab (GRSIL) where I was able to be funded while doing research. Lastly, she supports me as my advisor on my honors thesis, which I am working on currently.
UNH students viewing the solar eclipse
3. What has been your favorite experience at UNH so far?
My favorite experience at UNH so far was last year, during the solar eclipse. This is kind of an odd choice, but it warmed my heart how the university provided glasses for students and faculty and seeing how many professors were willing to cancel class or take their students outside to witness it. I love how the entire school community came together by T-Hall and the library to witness a natural phenomenon and history in the making. It was such a positive and genuinely happy experience that I will truly remember forever.
4. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at UNH so far?
The most important lesson I have learned so far at UNH is to advocate for yourself. UNH is a big university, and it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and just kind of sit and wait for opportunities to magically fall into your lap. For me, realizing that my professors are here for me and want me to succeed was a big step. Making relationships with and reaching out to professors and asking them for advice, for help if you’re struggling, for recommendations for scholarships or applications to whatever it may be, or for internship or research opportunities absolutely enabled me to be as successful of a student as I am today.
Ella Tartsa at COLA Fellows Luncheon
5. How has UNH prepared you for the future?
I think that my liberal arts education has prepared me for career and professional success in many ways. My professors have offered me internship and research opportunities, taught me so much about how the world around me works and have instilled knowledge in me that can be useful in any job setting and in the future in general. Specifically in anthropology, I have learned so much that isn’t inherently taught but that has been instilled in me from listening to and engaging with my peers and professors. I feel confident going into the world and engaging with anyone that I come across throughout my future endeavors. Justice studies, specifically, has taught me so much about the justice system and how it works in America, which is such valuable knowledge, and I have learned so much about how the relationships between crime, criminals and the justice system operate. This knowledge makes me feel ready to take on the future.
6. What are your plans for after UNH?
I am currently unsure about my exact plans after graduation. I am graduating after three years at UNH, so I keep telling myself that this unknown period is okay; it is not setting me back or pushing me behind my peers. I know that I want to work in the justice system one way or another, whether that means going to graduate school and pursuing a career in forensic science or signing up to take the LSAT and then working and studying for the exam to try and go to law school. Currently, I am applying for internships for the summer that include work for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s Scientific Analysis Laboratory and in detective work at law enforcement agencies near me. I find it stressful to not have a definite answer as to what I am doing after graduation, but I know that at the end of the day, I will figure it out. What I do know for sure is that I want to help people and make a difference in the justice system.
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