Unearthing Connections: Dr. Caitlin Curtis Whitaker Brings Global Archaeology to Life at UW-Parkside
KENOSHA, Wis. — On the sun-soaked Ararat Plain in southeastern Armenia, University of Wisconsin–Parkside Associate Professor Dr. Caitlin Curtis Whitaker is uncovering more than ancient artifacts. Through her international research and community-based teaching, she’s connecting past and present and opening doors for students to see the world in new ways.
Fieldwork Meets Classroom
Dr. Whitaker, who teaches in the Department of Geography and Anthropology, specializes in community engagement, participatory mapping, GIS, and heritage studies. She works with the Ararat Plain Southeast Archaeological Project (APSAP), a collaboration between the University of Hong Kong and Armenia’s Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, which focuses on how communities interact with the landscapes and legacies around them.
UW-Parkside student Ris (Karissa) Homar joined Whitaker in Armenia to take part in the excavation at Vedi Fortress, a Bronze and Iron Age site. The international team blends traditional archaeological techniques with advanced tools like drones and 3D modeling to document and preserve their findings.
“Dr. Whitaker truly embodies and encourages community collaboration in every project,” said Homar. “As her student, I’ve learned how archaeology connects people across time and place—and how those connections can change how we see our own communities.”
From sunrise digs to late-night lab work, Homar says the experience taught her as much about teamwork and perseverance as it did about the ancient world.
“From the Field to the Museum”: Inspiring Young Archaeologists 
Dr. Whitaker leads an educational outreach initiative for APSAP called “From the Field to the Museum”, developed in partnership with the Armenian Heritage Development Foundation and the National Gallery of Armenia. The program gives local children an immersive archaeological experience—from simulated digs and artifact analysis to creating their own museum exhibits. Since 2022, more than 90 students and 10 teachers have participated.
“Our goal is to make archaeology accessible to everyone,” Whitaker explained. “We want kids to see how science, culture, and curiosity come together to tell human stories.” One standout success came when a young participant from an early session joined the APSAP team as a volunteer archaeologist. He now mentors others and plans to pursue archaeology in college.
Bringing Global Lessons Home
Whitaker’s passion for hands-on learning extends well beyond Armenia. During the 2024–25 academic year, she adapted her international curriculum for local students in southeastern Wisconsin. From February through May, along with Executive Assistant to the Chancellor Gia Gutierrez, she led interactive mini excavations for more than 200 middle and high school students visiting UW-Parkside from Racine Unified School District, Bullen Middle School, and Harborside Academy.
“Archaeology motivates critical thinking about the complexities of the human past,” Whitaker said. “Excavating mini plastic skeletons is an engaging way to help students connect what they learn in the classroom to the wider world.”
A Lasting Impact 
Homar, now working as an archaeologist for the Wisconsin Historical Society, credits her mentor for helping her find her path. “Through Dr. Whitaker’s mentorship, I gained not only technical skills but a deeper appreciation for the human side of archaeology,” Homar said. “She showed me that our work is really about people—the stories they left behind and the communities that carry them forward.”
Whitaker continues to expand her outreach, developing teacher-training workshops and exploring opportunities for more UW-Parkside students to participate abroad. “Each field season builds new bridges,” she said. “Whether it’s in Armenia or right here in Wisconsin, the goal is the same—to help students understand their place in a much larger story.”
Help support Dr. Whitaker’s work and make future student participation possible!
Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.
Media contact:
Derek Fye
Communications Manager
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Fye@uwp.edu | (262) 771-5419