Professor Marisol Cortes-Rincon was a faculty member in the Anthropology Department from 2010-2024, during which time she was teacher and mentor to many students with a focus in archaeology and beyond. Dr. Cortes-Rincon's research focused on a variety of interpretive issues related to ancient Maya culture: sociopolitical organization, demography, subsistence, environmental management, economic structure, and warfare studies. She directed an intersite settlement survey project under the auspices the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP). Her field research at PfBAP focused on the settlement patterns between three large Maya centers: Dos Hombres, Gran Cacao, and Great Savannah. Numerous students had the unforgettable opportunity of joining the archaeology field school she founded and directed in Belize. She also served as Director and Co-Director of the Cultural Resources Facility (CRF), where she won numerous contracts and grants to conduct cultural resources management work in and around Humboldt while supporting students in gaining hands-on applied archaeology experience. She also established the Geospatial Archaeology Research Lab and supported countless student research projects including co-publishing with students and accompanying them to professional conferences. She also served as Anthropology Department Chair, helped launch the Master's in Applied Anthropology, and engaged in service across the university. 

Dr. Cortes-Rincon was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus in Fall 2024 - an honor rarely to be earned posthumously, which  speaks to her outstanding contributions to the university and its students. Marisol was an integral part of the Anthropology Department and beyond and her legacy will have a lasting impact.

Education:

Ph.D. Anthropology, Concentration Archaeology and GIS, University of Texas, Austin
M.A. Anthropology, Concentration in Medical Anthropology, Montclair State University
B.A. Classics, with minors in Archaeology and Pre-law, Montclair State University

Memorial Scholarship:

Dr. Cortes-Rincon dedicated her research funds for scholarships to support students that wish to gain field experience in Mesoamerican archaeology. The Anthropology Department, together with Marisol's loved ones, are working on setting up a student scholarship in her honor. More information will be forthcoming.