Alumni Spotlight: Kye Miller, BS ‘08
Kye Miller graduated with a major in anthropology and minor in geography. He has since cultivated a pretty exciting career in archaeology. Here’s his story:
“Spending my formative years in the Metro East, I grew interested in Mississippian culture and other groups that previously inhabited the land. I attended SIUE to study anthropology and archaeology, graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Anthropology in 2008. I attended SIUE's archaeology field school in 2006, directed by Dr. Julie Zimmermann, at a multi-component Early Archaic through Mississippian site. The anthropology faculty encouraged me to excel in school, graduate on schedule, and helped me identify the next step in the right direction.
After graduating, I worked in cultural resource management in the Midwest and Southwest, conducting and directing archaeological fieldwork for numerous compliance projects. I have work experience in both the private and government sectors, including working for various private companies, Forest Service, and National Park Service. I returned to school after five years as a professional archaeologist and graduated with a Master of Arts in Anthropology (with distinction) from Northern Arizona University in 2015.
Subsequent to graduating with my MA, I returned to the private sector. I currently serve as a senior project director and office lead for PaleoWest Archaeology’s Four Corners office and reside in northern New Mexico. My primary responsibility is the execution of the Bureau of Reclamation's Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, a roughly 360-mile water pipeline that will provide clean drinking water to tens of thousands of Navajo Nation and Jicarilla Apache Nation tribal members.
Studying in SIUE’s anthropology department, I learned basic methodology for all phases of archaeological field work, preparing me for a successful career in archaeology. My professors were very supportive while attending SIUE, and in my years since graduation.”
