Geoffrey Thün, Associate Vice President for Research– Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts

As associate vice president for research- social sciences, humanities, and the arts, Thün supports the research and creative practice efforts of faculty across and at the intersections of these disciplines. He also serves as a liaison to the units, schools and departments that are home to these disciplines, and will collaborate with other members of the OVPR Leadership Team in fostering interdisciplinary initiatives. Thün, Professor of Architecture, also provides support for several OVPR units and programs, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Office.  Email: gthun@umich.edu 

Ben Secunda, Managing Director 

Ben Secunda has served as NAGPRA Office Managing Director for the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President of Research since 2010. He has a Ph.D. in U.S. History with a focus on Native Americans. Ben has worked with Native Nations, mainly the Potawatomi and other Great Lakes area Nations, on historic and cultural preservation issues and other related matters. In his down time, Ben enjoys taking road trips, listening to music, and playing board games with friends. Email: bsecunda@umich.edu

Amadaeus Scott,  Associate Manager, Collections

J. Amadeaus Scott is a museum professional whose work has focused primarily on NAGPRA and respectful collections management practices informed by the framework of “ancestors and objects in transition”. She started assisting on NAGPRA compliance and osteological inventory for the University in 2008 as a graduate student. In 2011, following graduation, she accepted her current full time position where she has overseen the transfer of hundreds of Ancestors and thousands of Objects to Native Nations. Amadeaus holds a Museum Studies Graduate Certificate and an MFA in Studio Art from the U-M, focusing on the narrative quality of identity and place, insider ethnography, and the importance of agency in museums. She also holds a BA in Anthropology (archaeology focus) and a BFA in Sculpture from Grand Valley State University.  Amadeaus has lived in Southeast Michigan for most of her adult life with her spouse and three cats. In her free time, she teaches drawing at the local community college, runs a traveling apple museum, and has a semi-active studio practice as a metalsmith, wet-plate photographer, and fiber artist. Email: amadeaus@umich.edu

Mark Ramirez, NAGPRA Associate-Registrar & Records

Mark Ramirez is a special collections and records professional that has worked at a variety  of museums and institutions for over eight years. He earned his M.S.I. from the U-M School of Information in 2020 with a focus in Digital Curation, during which he also completed a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies from the U-M’s Museum Studies Program. He graduated from the University Of Michigan College Of Literature, Science, and the Arts in 2018 with a B.A. in History with Minors in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, and Museum Studies. Much of his studies focused on Colonial-era North America, Medieval Europe, and the overall history of collecting. In his free time Mark enjoys exploring record stores, playing board and collectible card games, reading fantasy/sci-fi novels and comic books, watching (and re-watching) movies, and rooting for Detroit sports teams. Email: marjosra@umich.edu

Colleen Utter, NAGPRA Associate-Communications & Coordination

Colleen Utter is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and has extensive experience working within Indian Country in Tribal government and Native non-profits. She has over a decade of experience implementing and working with NAGPRA law, and building relationships with Native Nations and Tribes. Ms. Medicine received an MS in International Administration with a focus on International Repatriation from Central Michigan University in 2017, and also holds a BS in Public Administration with a minor in American Indian Studies from CMU. Colleen resides in Northern Michigan with her fur dogs! She is a lifelong Anishinaabemowin language learner and hand pounds copper jewelry in her spare time. Email: crmed@umich.edu