Archaeology lab director Phyllis Johnson resigns

Phyllis Johnson, known for creating a positive and welcoming environment, is stepping down as the director of the Augustana archaeology lab.

Johnson has served as the director of the archaeology lab since the spring semester of 2023. During her time at Augustana, she has overseen the lab’s contract work and staff. Johnson also served as a field instructor during the summer for the archaeology department, as well as a professor during the school year.

Johnson resigned due to the struggle of balancing her professional responsibilities with spending time with her family.

“ It was entirely personal,” Johnson said. “It had nothing to do with Augustana or the work I do here.”

Because her family mainly resides in Ohio and Kentucky, Johnson said that the 15-hour drive from Sioux Falls was a significant burden that made making visits challenging. Her new position as an assistant professor of anthropology at Michigan State University will allow her to live in a location closer to her family.

Senior anthropology and criminal justice major Amelia Jibben worked in the archaeology lab under the direction of Johnson and had nothing but positive things to say about her experience.

“ I do think that the environment at the arch lab is so positive,” Jibben said. “Everybody’s so friendly and so nice to each other.”

Johnson’s main goal as the director was to create a safe environment for everybody in the lab. While she is proud of the research that the lab has accomplished, she is most proud of making the lab “a place where people want to be.”

Kristin Carlson, the chair of the anthropology department, has worked alongside Johnson as her supervisor since Johnson joined the department. Carlson had conversations with Johnson about her resignation, but she knows that her time at Augustana was well spent.

“ I think she has made so many wonderful positive changes,” Carlson said. “In the two years that she’s been here, she is leaving the place better than she found it.”

Jibben believes that Johnson was a great leader for the archaeology lab and was helpful whenever she and other students had questions, assisting them in the lab with whatever they needed.

“I think she did bring about a lot of positive leadership and again, warm leadership,” Jibben said. “Very open to hearing other people’s opinions and just even hearing about their day.”

Carlson believes that there won’t be much difficulty filling the position once Johnson is gone. Carlson said that The position is highly sought after and there is already a long list of very well-qualified people who would bring in a new perspective to the position.

“ When people come and they’re part of the department and work with us for a few years and then they leave, it really just broadens the opportunities for our students,” Carlson said. “Now we’re gonna have connections and people to work with at Michigan State.”

Even though Johnson has created such a strong connection and bond with the staff and students at the archaeology lab, she believes that resigning was the right decision for her to make.

“ The people [are] what I’m gonna miss the most,” Johnson said. “It was very hard to leave them. I’ve loved Augustana, but it’s the people and the relationships.”