From Salon to Courtroom: Top Anthropology Grad Pursues Law Degree

Amidst the upheaval of the pandemic, Tosha Aleck, a native of Springdale, found herself at a crossroads when the salon where she was working as a cosmetologist shut down in 2020.

“I was already not happy with my job, and I had been thinking about going back to school,” Aleck said. “That is the moment when I said, ‘This is the time.’”

Undeterred by adversity, Aleck embarked on a transformative journey back to academia, where her unwavering dedication and scholarly excellence have propelled her to the top of her class. She was recently named the Outstanding Graduating Senior in the anthropology program. She’s also gained a reputation as a reliable resident assistant, earning the Resident Assistant of the Year Award this year.

“I used to be very scared of science, and now I’m graduating as a scientist,” said Aleck, who is graduating May 11 with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a minor in biology. “Four years ago, I honestly didn’t think I could do this. It’s been very empowering for me.”

Aleck cites her experience in the Learning Assistants (LA) Program at UA Little Rock as one of the most transformative experiences of her college career, giving her the courage to learn more about science and helping others learn as well. As a learning assistant, Aleck used evidence-based, active-learning instruction to help students in chemistry, biology, and anthropology classes.

“Being an LA is where I’ve realized that there are not ‘types’ of people,” Aleck said. “I was told that I was an English and history person but wasn’t a math and science person. This is a journey to help people realize you can do something even if you find it intimidating. I wanted to help others feel empowered to learn science.”

This semester Aleck became a peer mentor, where she observed and offered guidance to other learning assistants. Aleck thanked Dr. Michael Moore, who oversees the LA Program, for helping her believe in herself.

“Dr. Michael Moore has been amazing,” she said. “I don’t believe I would have made it through my program if not for him and the LA Program. I can’t even express what it has meant to me to be in a school that has this program.”

Aleck has also worked with Dr. Stefanie Leacock, instructor of biology, to create open educational resources that combine anthropological knowledge with concepts in genetics to create a new section for LibreTexts, a nonprofit online educational resource project. She’s also served as a volunteer field researcher at Plum Bayou Archaeological Mounds, where she has helped to search for indigenous artifacts, including decorated pieces of ceramics.

As she prepares to bid farewell to undergraduate studies, Aleck has her sights on a new chapter, poised to embark on a legal career that promises to merge her passion for understanding human cultures with her desire to advocate for justice.

“After graduation, I will be heading to law school, where I have received a full-tuition scholarship,” Aleck said. “I want to work in government and policy. I’ve been working as an intern for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the City of Little Rock since August. My ultimate goal is to serve on the Supreme Court one day.”