东精影业

Teaching Medal Award Winner

Melissa Kirkendall
Maui

Melissa Kirkendall is an anthropology instructor at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College.

Her research specialty is Pacific Island ceramics, settlement patterns and virgin soil epidemics. Kirkendall teaches three of the four sub-disciplines in anthropology at 东精影业 Maui College, along with medical anthropology (traditional cultural practices) and other courses.

She was selected as the Maui representative for the Community College Leadership Champions 2014–2015, and is the 东精影业PA representative for humanities and social science on the 东精影业 Maui College campus. She served on the Bailey House Museum Board of Trustees for many years and serves on the 东精影业 Maui College Preserving Our Recollections committee, which is devoted to preserving the memories and histories of Maui residents. She mentored the students who formed the 东精影业 Maui College Anthropology Club, and inspired many to pursue anthropology degrees at other institutions.

Kirkendall has worked in the field of archaeology and anthropology for more than 25 years, including cultural resource management in the private sector, acting as state archaeologist for Hawai‘i, as well as teaching at 东精影业 Hilo, University of Guam and in the 东精影业 Manoa Outreach program on Maui.

She holds a BA in anthropology from 东精影业 Hilo, and an MA and PhD in anthropology from 东精影业 Manoa