Dr. Michelle Sivilich
My passion is working to preserve our unique natural and cultural resources. With degrees in History, Anthropology, Archaeology, and Life Science I have the background and experience on a wide range of topics. I have also been actively involved in nonprofits from employee, to board member, to Executive Director and I know the ins and outs of their unique needs.
Education
University of South Florida
Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology with a focus on Archaeology
Dissertation: “Measuring the Adaptation of Military Response During the Second Seminole War Florida (1835-1842): KOCOA and The Role of a West Point Military Academy Education”
Indiana State University
M.S. in Life Sciences
Thesis: “Determining Familial Relationships Using Ancient DNA from Urban and Rural Historic Burials”.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
BA in Sociology/Anthropology, BA in History
Senior Thesis: “Building a GIS Coverage of Historic St. Mary’s City”.
Career Highlights
Rock Paper Steel, LLC.
Save Crystal River
Crystal River, FL
Executive Director & Consultant, 2017-2021
- Led a nonprofit that has received and managed over 9 million dollars in funding from the FL Legislature and DEP to restore and replant native eelgrass within Kings Bay, Crystal River.
- Provided technical assistance, research, grant writing, public outreach, fundraising, oversight of other consultants, liaison to the board of directors, and oversaw the day-to-day operations.
- Oversaw $22,200,000 in restoration efforts of 44 acres of eelgrass
Homosassa River Restoration Project, Homosassa, FL
Consultant, 2018-2019
- Assisted a non-profit to start a river restoration project
- Provided technical assistance on FLDEP and USACOE permits to conduct hydraulic vacuuming of detrital material and replanting with native eelgrass
- Assisted writing legislative appropriation request for FY 2018
Gulf Archaeology Research Institute
Crystal River, FL
Executive Director, 2016-2021
- Manages all aspects of the nonprofit from grant writing/reviewing, HR, payroll, webmaster, public outreach and engagement, fundraising, financial planning, managing a staff of 8 professionals, supervising and mentoring interns and volunteers, and completing any other task needed
- Managed over $400,000 of grant funds in the last 4 years
- Specializes in Phase III excavations of historic military sites
Assistant Director, 2014-2016
- Wrote a grant resulting in an award of $67,700 from the American Battlefield Protection Program (2015) to continue my research interests in the Second Seminole War
- Managed excavations, personnel, and all stages of archaeological research at Fort King National Historic Landmark
Co-Primary Investigator, 2006-2009
- Wrote grant resulting in an award of $36,140 from the American Battlefield Protection Program (2008)
- Phase III excavation and identified the locations of Fort King and surrounding buildings.
- Located and identified Fort Dade; performed extensive archival research on the history of the fort
Other Experience
College of Central Florida – Ocala, FL
Adjunct Instructor, 2015-2017
- Taught Introduction to Anthropology, Introduction to Archaeology, and Anthropology (Archaeology) Field School
- Received award for Adjunct of the Year, Humanities and Social Science Department 2016-2017
The History Channel and Granada Television
Aired November 26, 2004
Expert Consultant
- Assisted with the episode American Revolution: The Battle of Monmouth in the series Battlefield Detectives.
- Performed a DNA analysis of a purported Revolutionary War bloodstains on church pews that served as a field hospital.