Governing Council Today: Lisa Henry, NAPA Secretary

Cheers from the NAPA Secretary!

Hi all – my name is Lisa Henry and I’m serving my 2^nd term as NAPA Secretary.  Yep, that’s right…my 2^nd term.  I am also an associate professor and chair of the anthropology department at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. 

When I joined NAPA about 7 or 8 years ago, I had many goals.  I wanted to network with practicing anthropologists so I could talk to my students about the work practitioners do.  I also wanted to guide my students in using the NAPA mentoring program and attending NAPA workshops at the AAA meetings.  All of these activities have been successful and great benefits of my NAPA membership.  What was unexpected about joining NAPA was the outreach of current NAPA members to get me more involved.  NAPA is an organization that is run by volunteers, and it needs ideas, connections, and partnerships to keep it going.  If you are a practitioner, we need your wisdom and knowledge to advise students on careers and help NAPA continue its leadership with career advice.  If you are faculty, we need your input on how to supplement your students’ coursework through workshops and conference sessions, advice on the questions they are asking about careers, and advice on other ways the association can be useful to students and departments.  If you are a student, we need your fresh ideas and insight on how to keep NAPA current and relevant to the next generation of practitioners. 

If you aren’t a member of NAPA, join because of the amazing benefits of networking, mentoring, education, and career advice…but also join so you can help us continue to make this association even better. 

If you are already a member of NAPA, get involved!  Join a committee!  Volunteer at the meetings!  Tell us your ideas and help us make them happen.