Newest Additions to the PA SHPO Team

I’m excited to introduce you to some of my colleagues who joined the SHPO team over the last six months. I’ve asked Nika, Clare, Anusha, and Sarah to answer a few questions so we can get to know them better.  We’re happy they’re here!

Nicholas (Nika) Zeitlin

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

My name is Nika Zeitlin and I am from Philadelphia, PA. I went to Temple University for my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Anthropology and got my Master’s in Historical Archaeology from the University of Massachusetts Boston where I investigated Viking Age sites in Iceland. I have experience conducting archaeological excavations in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Southeast US as well as Iceland and England. I’m interested in digital archaeological methods and community archaeology. Outside of work I love hiking, camping and pretty much anything sci-fi and fantasy related.

What do you do at the PA SHPO?

I am the Pennsylvania Archaeology Site Survey (PASS) Coordinator. I process all archaeology sites that get submitted to SHPO through PA-SHARE. I review all the submissions and make sure that our records meet high standards. I also educate the public about how to properly record archaeological sites when they are identified and provide information about artifacts that are found in Pennsylvania.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child I wanted to be a steam train engineer or an astronaut. I guess I really liked big loud vehicles as a child!

What made you choose this career path?

I got into archaeology because it combines a lot of my passions. I love working outside with my hands and being in nature. I also love history and hearing stories about places and people. When I learned that I could help tell stories about the past while working outside, it was a no brainer what I wanted to do as a career.

What have you found to be the most exciting/rewarding part of the job so far? 

I love being able to answer people’s questions when they call or email about artifacts they have found on their land. I get to learn about their town and where they are from and then research about the artifacts they found and help educate about our past. Its great to see people get excited about history in their own backyard!

What is something fun/quirky that you like to do in your spare time or that others might not know about you?

When I’m not working you will probably find me out camping in the woods, cooking over a fire and reading an old sci-fi novel. 

What is the number one thing you would like people to know about archaeology?

I want people to understand that archaeology is a collaborative field of study. You need so many people to work together to understand the past. You need to get everyone involved, members of the current community, members of the descendent community, and researchers to all contribute to how we interpret the past. 

Clare Connelly

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

 I am originally from the Chicago area but have moved all over the country over the last 15 years.  I received my B.A. in Anthropology from Ohio University and my M.S. in Anthropology from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  I love reading, crafting, and exploring history and different cultures around the world.

What do you do at the PA SHPO?

 I am one of the Archaeology Environmental Reviewers and I cover project from the western region of the state.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was really young, I wanted to be a teacher, but I knew I wanted to be an archaeologist by my teens.

What made you choose this career path?

I love to constantly learn, especially about history and other cultures, and archaeology was my way of following those interests.  Now, I’m more interested in protecting and caring for historic resources for future generations.

What have you found to be the most exciting/rewarding part of the job so far? 

It’s really interesting to see all the different type of projects and work with different agencies and groups throughout the state.  It’s also really great to work with so many people who are passionate about preserving history!

What is something fun/quirky that you like to do in your spare time or that others might not know about you?

I love to craft. Right now, I’m on a cross-stitch kick and make cross stitch bookmarks and ornaments.

What is the number one thing you would like people to know about archaeology?

Archaeology is a way for us to not only learn about our own history and that of other peoples, it’s also a way for us to humanize the past and give voice to those who are no longer here, especially those whose voices were not recorded in their own lifetimes.

Anusha Khansaheb

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. I then moved to the state capital, Raleigh, to attend NC State University (Go Pack!). I graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture, and a Bachelor of Arts in History. While in school, I studied abroad in Cyprus and worked as a field student on an archaeological project that focused on a Chalcolithic round house settlement. I quickly realized that I could use the skillset I gained from architecture school and combine it with my interest in history and pursue a career in historic preservation. I then moved to Philadelphia and completed a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. I ended up loving it here and moved back! My interest has always been studying the ways immigrant communities in the US create place, especially through religious space.

What do you do at the PA SHPO?

As the Education and Special Initiatives Coordinator, I work on all sorts of projects which makes my job particularly exciting. I am responsible for the management and coordination of PA SHPO’s communications, education, and special initiatives activities that incorporate the public and partners with the work of the PA SHPO and historic preservation. I also work closely with PA SHPO’s divisions to improve data quality, complete annual priorities, prepare and disseminate information for the public, and historic resource recordation and documentation.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child I think I really wanted to be a paleontologist or geologist. I think I just enjoyed spending time outside, digging in the earth, and reading about and collecting random objects. When I got older, especially in high school, I found myself pushed into STEM courses such as computer science and civil engineering. I always had a bit of a creative streak which is how I ended up applying for architecture school. Ultimately, the only courses I really enjoyed were my art, history, and architectural theory ones, which I think really inform my career now!

What made you choose this career path?

The power of the built environment and the layers of history it holds will always be fascinating to me. I have found that unlocking the puzzles of the built environment is far more interesting to me than being the designer of these places.

What have you found to be the most exciting/rewarding part of the job so far? 

The most rewarding part of this job is getting to see how passionate people are about their historic spaces all over Pennsylvania. As someone not from here, it has been so fun learning all the Pennsylvania lore!

What is something fun/quirky that you like to do in your spare time or that others might not know about you?

I have always loved to create things. I love the challenge of trying to figure out how something was made so I can recreate it. I have the “I can do it myself gene” so I am always up to something! Whether it’s watercolor, sewing, crocheting, woodworking, drawing, embroidery, photography, graphic design, or floral arranging, I am always picking up something creative to do. Some would say, I’m a jack of all trades but a master of none… I also enjoy traveling and seeing historic buildings around the world (of course), trying new foods, drinking savory cocktails, and hosting themed parties.

What is the number one thing you would like people to know about historic preservation?

Historic preservation is not just “we need to save the old building they’re going to demolish” or “look at this important marble ionic column.” Well… it is a little bit of that… but it is also creating community space and housing using already existing structures, telling the under-told stories of marginalized communities through space, using main streets to create economic corridors, and celebrating the rich and diverse history of the US. Old buildings can be important social drivers, and that is the most important thing I think people should know about preservation.

Sarah Alburger

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I’m from the greater Philadelphia area and hold a B.A. from Moravian College.

What do you do at the PA SHPO?

I am an Administrative Officer which is like a jack-of-all-trades for the office side of things.  I handle things like recordkeeping, budget, purchasing, event planning, etc.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a librarian or archivist.

What made you choose this career path?

An interest in recordkeeping.

What have you found to be the most exciting/rewarding part of the job so far? 

I find it rewarding to be part of a group that truly values the work they do in assisting the public with preserving historical sites of interest for all to enjoy.

What is something fun/quirky that you like to do in your spare time or that others might not know about you?

I’m a huge fan of Kpop (Korean idol pop music).

What is the number one thing you would like people to know about historic preservation?

It starts with the community so if you find something in your own backyard that you think is interesting give SHPO a call!

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