Amanda York Focke, Candidate for Regent for Certification Maintenance

  

 

What is the role of archival certification in the modern work environment?

Archival certification serves as a key framework for professional practice, and is a hallmark noting the archivist’s commitment to up to date engagement in the field. Certification signals to donors, employers, and colleagues that an archivist is competent in the domains of archival practice, having passed the rigorous exam. Ongoing certification shows that the archivist values participation in the larger archival community, not only by employment, but also by professional service, contributing to the field via writing and research, and honing skills with continuing education. In the modern work environment, with increasing need for nuanced attention to efforts such as diversifying collections and reevaluating legacy description, it is essential that archivists participate actively and creatively with the field. The mission of archives to collect, preserve, and provide access to as wide a variety of historical records as possible requires individual archivists to continually expand their views and skills. Certification formalizes these professional best efforts and builds trust in archival relationships.

 

Professional Experience:

• Head of Special Collections, Rice University: 2019-present
• Asst. Head of Special Collections, Rice University: 2002-2019
• Archivist, Southwestern Writers Collection, Texas State University: 1998-2002
• Photographs Cataloger, Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR: 1997-1998
• Processing Archivist, Alfred A. Knopf Publishing House Project, Ransom Center, UT Austin, TX: 1994-1996

 

Education:

• MLIS, University of Maryland, College Park: 1994
• BA, History, Georgetown University: 1992

 

Professional Activities:

• Academy of Certified Archivists: Member, 2002-present.
• Digital Archives Specialist, SAA: 2014-present.
• Society of Southwest Archivists: Board member, 2017-2019 President / Vice President, 2012-2014; Board member, 2009-2011; Chair, Local Arrangements Committee 2008; Publications Chair & Newsletter Editor, 2003-2007
• Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) Governance Chair and Member Trainer, 2018-present
• Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) Steering Committee Co-chair, 2013-2017
• Regional Archival Associations Consortium Co-Chair (an SAA affiliated group), 2013-2015
• Rice University Elizabeth Gillis Staff Award for Distinguished Service, 2021
• Rice University Board of Trustees Recognition for Distinguished Service, 2020
• Society of Southwest Archivists, Distinguished Service Award, May 2018
• Shapiro Award for Innovation and Service, Fondren Library, Rice University, 2006
• Librarian of the Year, Albert B. Alkek Library, Texas State University, 2001