Dr. Dawn M. Rutecki Appointed to the Society for American Archaeology Board of Directors
The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) is pleased to announce that Dawn M. Rutecki, Ph.D., RPA # 17589, has been appointed to the SAA Board of Directors as an interim member-at-large. Dr. Rutecki replaces Steve Tomka, Ph.D., RPA, who recently stepped down for personal and health reasons.
Dr. Rutecki is an incoming Assistant Professor at Grand Valley State University. She is a co-organizer of the SAA Queer Archaeology Interest Group and a current member of the SAA Committee on Curriculum and the SAA Task Force on Intersectionality. Dr. Rutecki also serves on the Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Assault for the Southeastern Archaeological Conference and the Field School Certification Committee for the Register of Professional Archaeologists. She received her Ph.D. from Indiana University.
“In taking on this service to the Society, I look forward to helping broaden the conversations about how we practice archaeology in the twenty-first century,” Dr. Rutecki said. “Finding practical and productive ways to incorporate both past and current suggestions in ongoing, transparent discussions can help us find strategies to decrease barriers to full participation in archaeological practice and be the community of archaeologists that we want to be.”
“We are extremely pleased that Dr. Rutecki has agreed to serve on the SAA board as interim member-at-large,” said SAA President Joe E. Watkins. “She has shown a strong dedication to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in archaeology and is active in key SAA groups serving vulnerable populations. I welcome her valuable insight and contributions.”
Dr. Rutecki’s term will end on April 24, 2020, at the SAA 85th Annual Meeting business meeting in Austin, Texas.