Sara L. Snyder

Sara L. Snyder is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Western Carolina University, and Director of the Cherokee Language Program. She holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University (2016), with additional specialization in linguistic anthropology. Her roles include academic teaching, research, and program leadership in Cherokee language revitalization.

Education:

• PhD, Ethnomusicology, Columbia University
• MPHL, Columbia University
• MA, Columbia University
• BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Interests: Focuses on language revitalization, translation studies, and the intersection of sound, voice, and Indigenous identity. Her work examines how vocal practices and translation poetics reshape contemporary Cherokee identities. She integrates ethnographic methods with participatory approaches in Indigenous studies.

Labs/Programs: Directs the Cherokee Language Program, fostering language preservation and pedagogy. Engages in collaborative projects with Cherokee communities to document and revive endangered language practices.