Cheryl L. Wase spent her career studying archeology in the high deserts of New Mexico until her passing at the age of 53. The Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship for the Study of Archeology, set up by her mother, embodies the three major themes that defined Wase’s life—dedication to archeology, love for New Mexico and support for other women.
For Ayleen Gutierrez and Miya Sierra, two anthropology graduate students at New Mexico State University, the Wase Scholarship enables them to continue their education and pursue their passion for archeology.
“The Cheryl Wase Scholarship has meant a solidified future for me as I continue my career,” Gutierrez said. “I am proud to say that this has been a big accomplishment for me as a first-generation Mexican-American.”
Gutierrez is in her third year of her archeology studies at NMSU. She’s focusing on Southwest archeology, specifically the Mimbreño peoples of the Mimbres Valley. She’s also interested in handling and caring for museum collections with the hope of addressing the curation crisis—the result of accumulating collections over time and running out of space and staff to maintain them. Her experiences in the field taught her about the different career paths available within archeology.
“This year, I went on my first fire assignment,” Gutierrez said. “I learned from contractors and firefighters about fire preparedness and planning around archaeological sites for when wildfires occur. It’s a big collaborative and slightly chaotic effort, but I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to continuing this work as a public servant.”
Sierra, in her first year of the program, focuses on historical archeology in land-grant communities. She’s currently working on analyzing a collection of18th century ceramics from San Miguel de Carnué, a land-grant community located in Tijeras Canyon, east of Alburquerque.
“What draws me into this field is the aspect of preserving and documenting people’s culture,” Sierra said. “It’s one thing to learn in a classroom, but once I was in the field, I was so certain that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
In addition to supporting their studies, the Wase Scholarship’s commitment to uplift women in archeology is particularly important to both Gutierrez and Sierra.
“This scholarship means that I, and other women like me, feel empowered to follow our dreams and make a meaningful impact in the field of archeology,” Sierra said. “I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to receive the scholarship to further my education and be supported by a network of other women.”
“I think the scholarship is super helpful and going to a really great cause,” Gutierrez said. “I think it’s great that archeology is changing in that there’s more women in the space. It’s good to see diversity in the field.”
As they continue their work in both the classroom and the field, Gutierrez and Sierra’s scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, course fees and textbooks for all courses included in the Focus on Archeology within NMSU’s anthropology program. It’s renewable for three years for graduate students.
“This scholarship will enable me to worry less about how to pay for my education and to focus more on academics and my research,” Sierra said. “I do not think I would be able to complete my master’s degree without this scholarship.”
“I hope I can contribute to the agency in a meaningful way, wherever my career may take me,” Gutierrez said. “I am practicing and learning what I love for my job and feel so grateful to be able to do that.”
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CUTLINE: Ayleen Gutierrez and Miya Sierra, two graduate anthropology students focusing on archeology at New Mexico State University, received the Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship for the Study of Archeology. (NMSU photo by Sarah Kimmerly)
CUTLINE: Ayleen Gutierrez and Miya Sierra, two graduate anthropology students focusing on archeology at New Mexico State University, stand outside New Mexico State University’s Kent Hall, home to the University Museum. (NMSU photo by Sarah Kimmerly)
