Michaela Morrill

Pronouns: 

She/Her

Major: 

Cultural Resources Management 

Hometown: 

Auburn, ME

What are your campus involvements? 

Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) Writing Center tutor, Anthropological Studies Center Technician, Graduate Assistant for the Anthropology Department

What is your favorite memory or experience at SSU? 

I have so many memories and experiences at SSU that I have enjoyed beyond measure. My current favorite has to be my time as a Writing Center tutor at the LARC. The LARC is wonderful! My administrative staff and colleagues are so incredible, they make every day at work so much fun. It has been especially fulfilling to provide support to the students on campus, seeing them grow their confidence and how that manifests in their writing. My experience at the LARC has fostered my ambitions to continue a career in college education, hopefully as an anthropology professor. The connections and memories I have made through the LARC are ones I will cherish.

What has been the most challenging part of your college experience and what did you learn from it? 

For me, the most challenging aspect of my time here at SSU has been the adjustment to being so far from my home in Maine. The summer before my first year at SSU, I moved here sight unseen. I remember how nervous I was; it was my first time living more than two hours away from my family and here I was, alone, literally across the country. The idea alone was daunting. Still, I packed my bags and moved, nervous I wouldn’t make any friends, completely unsure of what California would be like, and questioning if I could make it out here on my own. Soon enough, I realized I wasn’t alone. The people in my program and classes were so welcoming, and I have fostered what I know will be lifelong friendships here at SSU. It was such a relief to know that I was going to be okay out here away from my family and that SSU’s community was a support network I could count on. It made me confident in myself and my ability to adapt to new and intimidating situations. It’s incredible comparing my feelings then to now; I’m very happy at SSU and glad I overcame my fears about moving so far away!

What brought you to SSU, and what motivates you to stay? 

I came to SSU for my master’s program in the hopes of working with and learning from Dr. Alexis Boutin. During my undergraduate college experience in New Hampshire, I was urged to read her bioarchaeology publications and her work became crucial in inspiring me to pursue a career in bioarchaeology. To this day, she continues to inspire that drive. She is an active supporter of my goals and aspirations, always pushing me to become a better scholar, writer, and future educator. I am continually grateful for her mentorship and guidance. I am also lucky enough to have been accepted into a wonderful program that is continuing its foundational mission of teaching the next generation of Californian archaeologists and cultural heritage professionals. The rich history this program has was initially lost on me but as I have immersed myself into the wonderful Californian cultural heritage community, it has become so clear how foundational the Cultural Resources Management program at SSU is. So many of my professional contacts are alumni of the program! It’s incredible to see how SSU’s fostering of this program and incredible faculty members has led to a flourishing cultural heritage community in California, one that I hope to continue to be a part of.

Who at SSU has influenced you and/or made an impact on your journey here? 

Alexis Boutin, Michelle Jolly, and Sakina Bryant