Cassandra Steele
B.A. Anthropology, 2010 - Northern Illinois University
Academic Biography:
Q. Where is your study area located? The Near East and Mediterranean.
Q. What is your focus of research? Complex societies and religion, particularly the Late Iron Age and the Biblical Era. I love pretty much all of it.
Q. Why did you choose NIU? I chose NIU because I had an opportunity to work with Dr. Michael Kolb on the Elymi Porject and I had already established myself here during my undergraduate studies. I love NIU because of the diversity of students and the seemingly infinite amount of student programs and organizations available. It's almost impossible not to find the program or organization that feels like "home" and makes your college experience worthwhile. (Seriously, ask me about Outdoor Adventurers).
Q. What advice would you like to share with incoming students? Think about your questions before you ask them. Is there a way you can find the answer yourself? The resources are there, you just have to look. It's a little more time consuming, but you'll become more independent in the long run. This mostly applies to a non-lecture setting, but if you're looking for information, rather than having someone tell you the answer, try to find out the answer yourself. Yes, you will fall on your butt occasionally, but that is how we learn. Sometimes we have to do it wrong before we can do it right. Don't be afraid of making mistakes.
Research Projects:
- Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL o Field School, The Elymi Project in Western Sicily
