Raegan Stearns
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University archivist, Raegan Stearns, has been selected to be a member of the prestigious Archives Leadership Institute (ALI), located at the University of Virginia (UVA).
Stearns explained that ALI is funded by a $300,000 grant awarded to UVA by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration, which is the granting agency of the National Archives and Records Administration.
"I am honored and humbled to be among a small cohort of 25 archivists and memory workers selected nationwide who will be immersed in the knowledge and tools to positively transform the archival profession in practice, theory, stewardship, and care," Stearns said. "I thank the dean of the Levi Watkins Learning Center, Dr. Janice Franklin, for her encouragement and leadership for allowing me this great opportunity, which will also benefit my team of fellow archivists and information professionals at ASU, who excel in the preservation of the University's legacy and in the documenting of Montgomery, Alabama's role in the modern Civil Rights Movement."
SELECTION CRITERIA
ALI officials explained that Stearns and her fellow participants were selected for the national honor based on their exceptional leadership skills and potential, their ability to influence change within the archival field, a strong commitment to the archival profession, demonstrated professional organizational involvement and service, a collaborative and innovative spirit, and representation and/or support of diversity within the profession.
INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP
Stearns shared that participants in the program will engage in classroom and experiential learning focusing on individual growth and building capacity as leaders, organizational leadership, and responsible stewardship and partnerships.
"I look forward to utilizing the information and data that I learn at the upcoming leadership institute and will use it to further our programs at ASU," Stearns stated. "I am looking forward to being a part of this weeklong immersion program that embraces a distraction-free, focused opportunity for archival leaders to develop necessary theories, skills and knowledge."