Association Washington Archaeology

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About

The Washington Archaeology Mentorship Program (WAMP) connects students and emerging professionals with established or retired professionals in archaeology and related fields in Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. These mentors bring experience from cultural resource management firms, Tribal heritage departments, federal, state, and county agencies, universities, museums, collections, and more.

Access to professional networks, training, and employment opportunities is uneven, and students and new professionals may be unsure of the career paths available to them or how to pursue them. WAMP helps participants explore their options, build connections, and find guidance as they work toward their career goals.

history

Anna Coon first developed the idea for WAMP in 2020. The program officially launched on April 8, 2021, with a proposal presented to the Association for Washington Archaeology Board of Directors. The proposal outlined the program and a committee to administer it, with founding members Anna Coon, Kelly Bush, Elizabeth Dyess, Gunnar Werhan, and Julia Furlong. Today, Emma Dubois serves as Chair of the Mentorship Committee alongside members Adam Rorabaugh, Gary Wessen, Kim Anderson, and Anna Coon, working together to support the next generation of archaeologists.

Mission

Our goal is to build supportive mentoring relationships by matching participants with similar interests, goals, and expectations for the time they can commit.

These relationships are built through open communication, shared learning, and time spent getting to know one another. We encourage participation across a range of schedules and experience levels, recognizing that even a modest time commitment can make a meaningful difference. The Mentorship Committee provides ongoing support, shares relevant opportunities, and helps participants find a pairing that works for them.