Professional Experience

University Archivist [Rank: Librarian III - Promoted 7/1/2022]
August 2018 – Present
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
  • Identify historical, administrative and academic content to augment the collections of the University Archives, taking a strategic and creative approach to collecting contemporary content, building on a strong foundation that includes records reflecting diverse perspectives of campus communities and individuals.
  • Prioritize and manage the processing and description of University collections and resources in all formats, employing tools and techniques, such as oral history interviews and web archiving, to fill gaps in the official institutional record. Assume responsibility for web archiving during absence of Digital Services Librarian.
  • Foster curiosity about GW’s history through the development of digital resources and social media and introduces new audiences, including students, faculty, alumni, and members of the DC community, to the University Archives through targeted presentations, exhibits and outreach.
  • Participate in the public services functions of Special Collections Department, leading initiatives to interpret the institution’s history through reference, research, and instruction.
  • Provide timely and useful information in response to administrative requests and enhance access to administrative and research information assets through GW’s digital repository.
  • Serve as a member of Special Collections & Archives department management team, working closely with colleagues to set goals and establish priorities that support GWLAI and the overall GW institutional mission.
  • Contribute to GWLAI’s award-winning instruction program; expand digital services, tools, and programs; and participate in programs that help cultivate an institutional culture that values support for new forms of scholarly communications and open access.
  • Active member of Scholarly Communications team, identify and upload materials into the institutional repository, ScholarSpace.
  • Participate in multiple cross-GWLAI initiatives and works closely with GW staff responsible for development, alumni and external relations.

United States Corporate Archivist
November 2015 – July 2018
HSBC, Brooklyn, NY
  • Assisted with management and development of the US Archives unit to capture, preserve and promote HSBC’s corporate memory at the Country level.
  • Supported the development and implementation of archival management programs to strategically collect, catalog and preserve historical records to professional standards.
  • Identified, cataloged and tracked the US Archives to designated standards of data quality control in order to prevent asset loss or inaccurate recording.
  • Processed, arranged and described physical and digital collections utilizing CALM, SIP Creator, WinSCP, and Preservica.
    • Collections included: HSBC Bank USA, HSBC USA Incorporated, HSBC Bank Canada, HSBC Finance Canada, HSBC Finance Corporation (HBIO), HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (HNAH)
    • Historic Savings Banks: Williamsburgh Savings Bank, Citizens' Savings Bank, Manhattan Savings Institution, Mariner's Savings Institution, Metropolitan Savings Bank
  • Wrote and updated fonds descriptions for: Citizens' Savings Bank, Manhattan Savings Bank, Marine Midland Bank (Central, Eastern, New York, Rochester, Southern, Western), Marine Midland Tinker National Bank, Marine Midland Trust Company of Binghamton and the Mohawk Valley, Marine Trust Company of Buffalo, Metropolitan Savings Bank, Yonkers Savings Bank.
  • Researched and wrote fonds descriptions for Republic National Bank predecessors: Brevoort Savings Bank, Brooklyn Savings Bank, Crossland Savings Bank, East Brooklyn Savings Bank, Fulton Savings Bank, Greenwich Savings Bank, Kings Lafayette Bank.
  • Curated HSBC’s history in support of purpose, strategy, brand and values, overseen by US Archives Manager, and collaborated with Global History Manager and other regional archivists. Selected, interpreted and communicated archival collections via outreach such as presentations, web content and exhibits for internal and external audiences.
  • Contributed to HSBC’s global corporate memory through ongoing appraisal and transfer of historical records.
  • Assisted in utilization of the US collection to actively support HSBC’s purpose, strategy and values; provided a vital evidence base to demonstrate key decisions and activities of the past.
  • Promptly and accurately responded to internal and external inquiries and facilitate access to collections, both physical and digital, in accordance with strict access control standards (ex: embargoes, copyright, data protection).
  • Provided controlled access to the US Archives via the global Digital Archives system.
  • Participated in and contributed to strategic development of policies, procedures and systems across the Global Archives to secure longer-term preservation and accessibility of archives.
  • Participated in the application of global standards for secure storage and preservation of digital and physical archives to mitigate risks of loss/deterioration. Served as member of Cataloging Committee.

Luce Project Archivist [Rank: Librarian II - promoted 11/27/2012]
August 2011 – November 2015
The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University Libraries, New York, NY
  • Project 1: 2011-2014: Missionary Research Library Archives and William Adams Brown Ecumenical Library Archives: Successfully managed a three-year $295K grant from the Henry Luce Foundation processing over 700 linear feet of hidden archives at a rate of 20 linear feet per month. Wrote 184 finding aids for collections.
  • Project 2: January-November 2015: Union Theological Seminary Archives: Managed a three-year $190K grant from the Henry Luce Foundation processing over 1100 linear feet of archives at a rate of 30-35 linear feet per month. Wrote 30 finding aids for collections.
  • Developed and implemented processing plans, ensuring appropriate housing of archival material, identified materials for conservation treatment, survey, inventoried and appraised materials, processed and arranged collections using current processing standards including More Product Less Process (MPLP), wrote and edited finding aids and other descriptive access tools utilizing DACS standards, and maintained project schedules and deadlines.
  • Updated and created MARC catalog records using Voyager.
  • Submitted regular reports and maintained metrics on manuscript and archival processing.
  • Digital Asset Management using DayCQ with online collection of PDF finding aids [Burke archives website].
  • Created EAD finding aids in oXygen. Trained staff and students on EAD. Plan and coordinated implementation of ArchivesSpace at Burke.
  • Created instructional manuals and documentation for all of the above.
  • Trained and supervised interns and student assistants. Used Timecard to log hours.
  • Provided reference services for MRL and WAB collections. Recorded requests with DeskTracker.
  • Invigilated special collections researchers. Paged necessary collections.
  • Advised Director and other staff on issues of significance to the management of collections.
  • Presented at classes, conferences and meetings about the collections and archiving.
  • Participated in future planning initiatives for Burke such as the wayfinding research project. Completed Human Subjects Protection Training. Project manager for library space planning.
  • Proposed, created and maintained Burke Library social media and web 2.0 efforts with Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Trained other staff and students on posting relevant updates.
  • Managed Burke Library Newsletter including layout, solicitation of articles, and dissemination of information.
  • Proposed, designed, and managed Project Blog, "The Hidden Archival Collections of the Burke Library." Transitioned and re-branded blog to the "Burke Archives Blog." Trained other staff and students on posting relevant updates.
  • Maintained Unearthing Eloquence: Union in Dialogue Blog.
  • Assisted staff with creation of exhibits on view throughout the Columbia Library system. Affix images in-house to foam core and card stock. Train other staff on techniques.
  • Created digital exhibits using Omeka.

Archivist and Research Center Coordinator
August 2008 – July 2011
The Historical Society of Frederick County, Frederick, MD
  • Directed acquisition, appraisal, accessioning, deaccessioning, processing and use of the archival holdings including documents, papers, manuscripts, photographs and other special formats such as glass negatives, maps, ephemera, audio-visual materials, rare books, and special collections.
  • Organized, maintained, developed, and ran Research Center. Maintained budget and ordered supplies.
  • Performed in-house preservation techniques on all collections.
  • Solicited and encouraged donations of Frederick County materials.
  • Processed, arranged, and described materials through creation of inventories and finding aids; rehoused materials, employing prescribed procedures and standards.
  • Created and maintained databases.
  • Created and updated policies such as the Collections Management Policy, Deed of Gift form and Photograph Reproduction Policy (Duplication of Graphics Information Sheet and Order Form and Pricing).
  • Digitized and reformatted materials to promote their preservation and use.
  • Advised Executive Director and other staff on issues of significance to the management of collections.
  • Prepared, wrote, and executed grant projects.
  • Assisted museum staff with creation of museum exhibits.
  • Led workshops relating to the care and use of Research Center collections.
  • Planned and implemented history and genealogy symposiums, genealogy open houses, and other related programs.
  • Maintained positive relations with libraries and historical organizations within and outside of Frederick County.
  • Provided reference services and assisted patrons with genealogy research through virtual and in-person means.
  • Supervised over twenty volunteers, multiple interns, part-time Research Center Assistant and Archivist of Special Projects. Developed associated job descriptions. Planned and executed volunteer recruitment. Represented HSFC at internship fairs.
  • Served on Curatorial Committee as liaison from the Archives and Research Center.
  • Continue to serve as Consultant on Archives and Research Center needs, July 2011 to present.

STUDENT WORK
Graduate Student Assistant
September 2007 – July 2008
University of Pittsburgh, Archives Service Center, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Processed and rehoused extensive CONSOL Energy Mine Survey Books (136 records cartons totaling 136 linear feet) and Traverse Logs (65 boxes totaling 130 linear feet) collection.
  • Created item-level finding aid to assist researchers.

Student Supervisor
November 2004 – August 2007
Millersville University, Archives and Special Collections, Millersville, PA
  • Supervised other student workers. Designed multiple exhibits. Answered remote and in-person reference queries. Processed and rehoused collections. Scanned and edited photographs for multiple projects.
  • Redesigned Archives and Special Collections website.
  • Transcribed and organized two women’s oral history projects.
  • Transcribed manuscripts dating from 19th-20th centuries.

Intern Archivist/Collections Management
May 2006 – August 2006
Adams County Historical Society, Gettysburg, PA
  • Accessioned, photographed, catalogued, and rehoused museum artifacts.
  • Assisted collections manager in restoration of photographs.
  • Scanned the covers of books and pamphlets for advertisement on online gift shop.
  • Re-sleeved photographic negatives by William H. Tipton, Gettysburg Battlefield photographer.
  • Assisted collections manager, registrar, and other interns on projects as needed.