Charla Dain, Administrative Secretary
Charla assists Anthropology Professor
Mark Nichter with a variety of paperwork related to his teaching and
research. In her free time, she gardens, reads, makes music, and plays with her cats.
Carol A. Gifford, Editor
Carol graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Anthropology in 1952.
She served as Secretary in the Bureau of Ethnic Research (now BARA) for its founder,
William H. Kelly, and her employment has included working for every Department Head in
Anthropology except its founder Byron Cummings, who retired from the Department in 1938.
Carol has participated in archaeological projects in Arizona, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Her publications include Compiler of a monograph on prehistoric Mayan ceramics published
as Peabody Museum Monograph 18, Harvard University (based on the research of her late
husband, James C. Gifford), and co-author of journal articles. Carol received the
Victor R. Stoner Award from the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society in
1998 and an SBS Outstanding Classified Staff Member award in 1999. She is currently
Editor of the Anthropological Papers of the University of Arizona. Her two children
received degrees from the University of Arizona.
Dirk J. Harris, Support Systems Analyst Sr.
Dirk manages the Information Technology (IT) area for the Department of Anthropology,
University of Arizona. Anthropology IT manages and maintains the computer network for the
faculty, staff and students within the department for research and teaching. In 2001, Dirk
received the University of Arizona Staff Award for Excellence. When he's not working, he
enjoys the outdoors and the desert of the Southwest. He is a search and rescue volunteer
for Pima County with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association. Dirk and his children enjoy
off-roading and hiking. Some of their recent hikes include Table Mountain, Bushmaster Peak,
Agua Caliente Peak, Ledge of the Lion (Baboquivari), Window Rock, Mica Mountain, Reef of
Rock, Silver Peak (Washington State), and Sitgreaves Mountain. He hopes to see you on the
trails.
Catherine Lehman, Administrative Secretary
Catherine is the secretary to the Anthropology Advising Center and the support staff
for Graduate and Undergraduate Advisors as well as the Main Office Administrative
Associate. Catherine is a native Tucsonan and has worked for 25 years in the behavioral
health field and began working here in June 2005. Her time off activities include hiking,
camping and spending time with her grandchildren.
Norma Maynard, Manager of Administration & Finance
In 1985, Norma began her career at the University of Arizona as the Section Manager
for Hematology/Oncology at the Arizona Cancer Center. Prior to that she was an
Interpreter (American Sign Language) for the Community Outreach Program for the
Deaf and was an Adjunct Faculty member at Pima Community College teaching American Sign
Language and Interpreting. In 1991, Norma transferred to the Department of Anthropology.
Here she is responsible for financial, budgetary, and operational management; research
administration; personnel management; student program management; facilities and
equipment management; and for program planning and special projects. In 1995, she
received the SBS Outstanding Classified Staff Member award, and in 1997 she received
the University of Arizona Staff Award for Excellence. Away from the office, she enjoys
spending time with her husband of 34 years, their son and his family; their two, funny
mini-dachshunds; reading and writing; and spending as much time as possible in her art
studio painting with watercolors, creating hand-made greeting cards, and any crafts
involving paper.
Alayna Robyns-Voutsas, Administrative Assistant
Alayna has been in the Anthropology Business Office for just over one
year. She is the support staff to the business office. Her primary
responsibilities are processing financial documents, purchasing, and assisting with
payroll. Outside of the office, Alayna has a passion for watching foreign films,
going to the movies with her two daughters, grooming her cats, and scrap-booking.
Catherine S. Snider, Associate Accountant
Cathy attended four years at the University of Arizona, but prior to finishing
a degree in Business Administration, she move to California to get married. A job
transfer for her husband returned her to the University as an employee for the College
of Nursing, moving on a year later to the Bursar's office as an Administrative Assistant
and then as a Federal Grants Officer and finally as a Collections Officer. She also
worked for the College of Business in the MIS department as the Assistant to the Department
Head. She has always been happiest working directly with the students and faculty in
maneuvering through the University maze of paperwork and rules, which encouraged her
to become Chairperson on the Residency Review Committee and an Ombudsperson for the
University. She came to the Department of Anthropology as an assistant to a new faculty
member. She moved on to work for CASA, for Dr. Mark Nichter, and for the Business Office.
She currently is working on the IGERT grant project, performing multiple duties in the
Business Office and maintaining her position as Chair of the Residency Appeals Committee.
Cathy is the mother of four, with five grandchildren. When not working, her life is
full of family, from sporting events to animal rescue, and just being there to enjoy
the process of her kids and grandkids growing up.
Ellen Stamp, Business Manager
Ellen is originally from western New York, and she moved to Tucson in 1985.
Prior to being employed at the University, she worked in the property and casualty
insurance industry as an Underwriter and Office Manager. In 1992, Ellen began her
career at the University of Arizona as a Secretary in the Section of Emergency
Medicine and has worked in the Department of Anthropology since December 1992.
She has held various positions in the department including Secretary, Word Processing
Specialist, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Associate, and Business Manager.
In 1998 and in 2002, Ellen received the SBS Outstanding Classified Staff Member Award.
While the years have passed quickly she still thoroughly enjoys working with the diverse
and fascinating students, faculty and staff. Ellen has been married for 37 years and
has four delightful grandchildren. In her personal time she enjoys watercolor painting,
taking art classes, reading, gardening, listening to music, knitting, and traveling.
David Thompsen, Support Systems Analyst
Dave began working at the University of Arizona in 2004. He is responsible for
maintaining and supporting the technology, networking and computing equipment for the
Anthropology building and related departments. His outside interests include hiking,
traveling, and baseball.
Karen Weaver-Sommers, Senior Academic Advisor
Karen works with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff in a
number of different capacities. Karen earned her B.S. in Psychology from the
University of Arizona in August 1996 and her M.Ed in Counseling from Northern Arizona
University in December 2001. Karen loves animals and enjoys watching reality TV with
her three cats and two dogs.