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On the Stump!
Meet the 2014 RAO Leadership Candidates
The Nominating and Elections Committee is pleased to announce 2014 slate of candidates for Vice Chair-Chair Elect and Steering Committee for the Reference Access and Outreach Section (RAO). The candidates provide a broad range of backgrounds, experience, and professional contexts. Voting for the election will be electronic and will occur via the Society of American Archivists Web site in early July. The Nominating and Elections Committee will announce more specific dates via the RAO listserv as they become available from SAA. The candidate profiles and statements as well as the general election timetable will be available on the RAO Web site.
The Nominating and Elections Committee will announce the election results as soon as SAA makes them available to us. Finally, the Nominating and Elections Committee wishes to thank all the candidates for agreeing to run for office.
2014 CPR Nominating and Elections Committee:
Jill Severn, Chair
Matt Herbison
Jodi Allison-Bunnell
Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Reference Access and Outreach Section
The chair, vice-chair/chair-elect, and the immediate past chair serve as officers of the section.
Only individual members of SAA and the Reference Access and Outreach Section may hold these positions. The officers make a commitment for three years to serve; one year each as vice-chair/chair-elect, chair, and immediate past chair.
Each is expected to attend the annual meeting.
Candidates (once vacancy, two candidates):
Rachael Dreyer 
Reference Archivist, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
Education:
Master of Science in Information, University of Michigan, 2009; Bachelor of Arts, English and History, Grinnell College, 2004.
Work Experience:
June 2011-present, Assistant Archivist, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. December 2009-May 2011, Librarian, Chelsea District Library, Chelsea, MI.
Relevant Service:
Memberships in SRMA, ALA, RBMS, ACRL, SAA. SAA Task Force on Member Affinity Groups, July 2013-present. RAO Section, Steering Committee, August 2012-present. Women Archivists Roundtable, Co-Chair, August 2012-present.
Relevant Publications and Presentations:
"Happy Accidents and Unintended Consequences: How We Named Our Tribble, in Innovative Practices for Outreach in Archives and Special Collections, ed. Kate Theimer. “Building Bridges: Closing the Divide between Minimally Processed Collections and Researchers," co-author, in Innovative Practices for Reference and Providing Access to Archives and Special Collections, ed. KateTheimer. "The ‘Like’ Pursuit: Chasing Engagement through Social Media," poster presentation, ALA Annual Meeting, 2013. "Onward and Outward: Online Outreach Strategies for Archives," panelist, SRMA/CIMA Joint Meeting, 2013.
Statement:
Archivists who are involved in reference, outreach, or access work help to make archival materials accessible, navigating the challenges of researchers’ needs and institutions’ rules and requirements. That RAO is such a vibrant and active Section within SAA is a testament to the importance of reference, outreach, and access within the archival profession. My desire to serve as vice-chair elect stems from my own belief in the importance of reference work in demystifying and making more accessible to researchers the archival materials for which we are responsible. RAO provides welcome support for archivists engaged in issues related to providing public service--offering a venue for dialogue, education, and exploration of new approaches to reference services, outreach strategies, and access policies. I believe that I can help to further RAO’s goals and serve my fellow reference colleagues in the process.
Greg Kocken 
Head Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist, McIntyre Library, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Education:
M.A., Library and Information Studies with Archives and Records Administration Certification, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2009; B.A., Public History, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2007.
Work Experience:
Head, Special Collections and Archives, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2011-Present. Reference Archivist, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, 2009-2011. Reference Archivist, Wisconsin Historical Society, 2007-2009.
Relevant Service:
SAA, 2007-Present; RAO Section: Steering Committee,2011-2013; Communications Liaison, 2013-Present; National History Day Committee, 2010-2012; Navigating Minimal Processing and Public Services Working Group, 2010-2013, Co-Chair 2011-2012, Chair 2012-2013. Midwest Archives Conference:2010-Present; Fall 2012 Symposium Program Committee, 2011-2012. Federation of Genealogical Societies Outreach Committee, 2012.
Relevant Publications and Presentations:
2014, "Finding Fun with Finding Aids," in Using Primary Sources: Hands-On Instructional Exercises, Libraries Unlimited. 2012, SAA Session, "Kids These Days: K-12 Students and the Use of Primary Sources." 2010, SAA Session, "Balancing Public Services with Technical Services in the Age of Basic Processing."
Statement:
Reference, access and outreach is at the core of my professional identity, and represents some of the most important work done by today’s archivists. We value providing reference, access and outreach services, but these are more than "value added" responsibilities for archivists; they are critical to the archival enterprise. As our profession continues to evolve, RAO must remain responsive to changes and be prepared to address challenges which impact RAO archivists. As a past member of the steering committee, with experience working on several RAO subgroups and now as the communications liaison, I will bring a wealth of experience and energy to this leadership position. If elected, I will support and promote existing RAO initiatives and engage our community through new opportunities. RAO members have great ideas and, if elected, I will listen and harness those ideas to strengthen RAO and our profession.
Steering Committee 2014-2016, Reference Access and Outreach Section
The Steering Committee directs and coordinates activities of the section and approves appointments made by the chair if vacancies occur.
Candidates (two vacancies, seven candidates):
Lori Birrell 
Manuscript Librarian, University of Rochester
Education:
Doctorate of Education, University of Rochester, May 2017; MLIS, Simmons College, 2011; MA, History, UMass, Amherst, 2009; BA, Mount Holyoke College, 2007.
Work Experience:
Historical Manuscripts Librarian, University of Rochester, 2011- present
Relevant Service:
MARAC, 2011-present; Program Committee, Spring 2015; Co-chair Local Arrangements Committee, Spring 2014. SAA, 2010-present: RAO Teaching with Primary Sources Committee, 2014-present; RAO instruction survey group, 2011- 2013.
Relevant Presentations and Publications:
Half-day "Access and Outreach" workshop, Rochester Regional Library Council, 2014; "Collaboration and Community: Three Digital Humanities Projects," SAA, August 2013; "Bridging the Divide between Digital and Analog: Post Family Papers Digitization Project," Professional Poster Session, SAA, August 2012; Website Review, Grateful Dead Archive Online. March 2013; "Remembering the Reformers." Archival Outlook, November/December 2012; Book Review, Theimer, Kate.A Different Kind of Web: New Connections between Archives and Our Users. American Archivist. Winter 2012.
It’s my vision that a 21st century special collections and archives be a vibrant center and collaborative partner in the creation of scholarly research. RAO plays an important role in that vision, as the roundtable can serve as collaborative space where we can come together, both physically and virtually, to exchange ideas, discuss advocacy issues and remain connected to our profession. Joining the leadership of RAO offers me the opportunity to give back to this roundtable and its members, who influence my practice. Conceiving of our work holistically, within the governance structure of SAA, we well as our institutions and professional networks, helps to ensure that as archivists we remain relevant and vibrant contributors to the information profession.
Rebecca Bizonet 
Ford Collaborative Archivist, The Henry Ford
Education:
BA, French, Residential College, University of Michigan, 1994; MSI, Archives and Records Management, University of Michigan, 2001.
Work Experience:
Processing archivist, University of Michigan Special Collections Library, 2001-2006; Archivist, Ford Historical Resources Collaborative, The Henry Ford, 2006-present (Processing Archivist, 2006-2008; Reference Archivist, 2008-present).
Relevant Service:
SAA, 2000-present (Publicity Chair, University of Michigan SAA Student Chapter, 2000-2001; Manuscript Repositories Steering Committee, 2007-2009; Annual Meeting Task Force Online Access Subgroup, 2011-2013, and Chair, 2012-2013; 23 Things for Archivists, RAO Section, Volunteer, 2011-2013, and Coordinator, 2013-present; 2015 Program Committee, August 2014-August 2015, expected). Midwest Archives Conference, 2003-2007, 2010-present (Nominating Committee, 2011-2012). Michigan Archival Association, 2002-present (Program Committee, 2002; Executive Board, 2009-present; Editor, Open Entry newsletter, 2010-present).
Statement:
As a member of RAO since 2012, I have benefited greatly from the knowledge shared with - and by - its passionate, smart, enthusiastic members, and the fun that's been had along the way. Working with the Steering Committee this year as 23 Things for Archivists coordinator, I'm deeply impressed with their hard work and commitment to cultivating and sharing relevant information. Projects they've undertaken are helping members stay involved, current, and creative in the profession and better serve our institutions and our users. My vision for RAO is for it to continue and expand the great work it's been doing in relating reference, access, and outreach to other areas of archival administration and understanding and promoting the use of archives by society at large. I'd very much like the chance to increase my contributions to these efforts by serving and representing you as a member of the RAO Section Steering Committee.
Erin Lawrimore 
University Archivist, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Education:
B.A. (English), Duke University; M.S. (Information Studies), University of Texas at Austin.
Work Experience:
University of Tennessee (Archivist, 2003-2008); North Carolina State University (Associate Head and Curator, 2008-2011);UNC Greensboro (University Archivist, 2011-present).
Relevant Professional Activities:
SAA member since 2001 (Issues and Advocacy Roundtable Steering Committee, 2010-2014; Awards Committee Co-Chair, 2011-2013); Society of Georgia Archivists member since 2009 (managing editor of Provenance, 2010-present); Society of North Carolina Archivists member since 2008.
Relevant Publications and Presentations:
“The Big Picture: Effective Advocacy through Institutional Alignment,” Archival Outlook(July/August 2013), 3, 25. “Mission Critical: Effective Internal Advocacy for Your Archives.” Journal of the Society of North Carolina Archivists (Spring 2014), 2-18. “Get Your House in Order: Advocating for the Profession by Advocating for Your Archives”, 2013 SAA annual meeting. “Close Encounters of the Frosh Kind: Coordinating Freshman English Assignments in the Archives” (poster). 2011 SNCA conference.
Statement:
I'm really interested in advancing professional conversations surrounding outreach, and, as a member of the RAO leadership team, I would hope to help develop resources and foster discussions that enable archivists to effectively promote their work and clearly demonstrate their value to internal and external audiences. We need to critically think about our importance, and learn to tailor our messages to our particular audiences. Whether we're telling our story to administrators/funders to faculty members/educators or to the lady in line behind us at the grocery store, we need to be sure we can effectively "sell" our particular archives as well as the archival profession as a whole.
Jennifer Mitchell 
Head of Manuscripts Processing, Louisiana State University Libraries
Education:
MLIS from Wayne State University; MA in History from Virginia Tech.
Work Experience:
Archives Assistant, Virginia Tech Special Collections Department for 4 years; Currently, Head of Manuscripts Processing at Louisiana State University.
Relevant Service:
Judge for the Regional and State National History Day competitions.
Statement:
The Reference, Access, and Outreach Section provides a forum for archivists to share innovative ideas on the creation of programs aimed at reaching new and broader audiences. Archivists at all levels must take every opportunity to be advocates for their institutions and their collections. Recent initiatives like the National History Day Committee and the Working Group on Minimal Processing and Public Services fit nicely with my research interests and professional activities. Serving on the steering committee would provide an excellent opportunity for me to contribute to the conversation and collaborate with other archivists.
Rebecca Petersen 
Public Services Archivist at Wake Forest University
Education:
BA in American Studies and Art History, The George Washington University; MLIS from UNC Greensboro.
Work Experience:
Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University (Archivist, 2010-present); previously, Prints and Photographs Department and the Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Relevant Service:
Vice President, Chair of the Archives Week Committee, Society of North Carolina Archivists (SNCA). SNCA regional representative, Regional Archival Associations Consortium (RAAC), Society of American Archivists.
Statement:
I am excited at the prospect of joining the leadership of RAO for a variety of reasons. I have looked to RAO as a source of ideas relating to outreach, teaching with primary resources, and other fresh ideas. Last year, I had the opportunity to be a "vendor" at the Marketplace at SAA and found the interactive experience engaging and exciting. It is my hope that joining the RAO Steering Committee will allow me to both share my own ideas, but also to facilitate RAO and its members to be even more creative and dynamic. I am confident that my experiences promoting archives as a member of the Society of North Carolina Archivists as well as my other professional experiences will benefit RAO and its members. I hope for the opportunity to both contribute to and learn from the RAO community.
Alison Stankrauff 
Archivist and Associate Librarian - Indiana University South Bend
Education:
Master’s in Library Science with Archival Administration concentration in 2002,Wayne State University; Bachelor’s degree in history, Antioch College in 1996.
Experience:
Campus Archivist, Indiana University South Bend campus 2004 - present; Reference Archivist, American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati, 2002 to 2004.
Relevant Service:
SAA: Mentoring Subcommittee Co-Chair 2012 - present; College and University Archive Section Chair 2012 - 2013; Issues and Advocacy Roundtable Chair 2010 - 2012; RAO Section Teaching with/about Primary Sources Working Group 2014 – present. Midwest Archives Conference: Program Committee 2014; Nominating Committee 2012 - 2013; Archie Motley Scholarship Award Committee Chair 2012 - present; MAC Newsletter Assistant Editor 2011 - 2016.
Relevant Publications and Presentations:
Stankrauff, Alison et al. "Which Hat Are You Wearing: ‘You Need What? When?’" American Archivist Online Supplement to Vol. 74 (2013); "Guide to Records Management for Lone Arrangers," SAA, Lone Arrangers Roundtable, 2013.
Statement:
I’m Alison Stankrauff, Archivist and Associate Librarian at Indiana University South Bend. I’m adamant about the importance of the archival record that we collect, protect, make accessible. I feel deeply committed to connecting people with the archival record. I do my work with a service ethic, working with students, faculty, and staff at my campus – and the public beyond. I love making history and archival collections available to people. I’ve taught classes linking primary sources with undergraduate students at my campus and have seen just how this demystifies history for them. I am active in my community, serving on the Collections Committee for the Michiana Jewish Historical Society, on the Collections Committee for the Center of History, a coordinator of a Bicycle Repair Workshop for Women this summer. I’m also active in SAA, Midwest Archives Conference, Society of Indiana Archivists, and the Indiana Library Federation.
Elizabeth Wilkinson 
Curator of Manuscripts, Georgetown University Special Collections Research Center
Education:
M.L.S., M.A: History, Indiana University; B.A.: History, Indiana University.
Work Experience:
Curator of Manuscripts, 2013-present, Georgetown University; Processing and Public Services Archivist, Purdue University, 2007-2013; Head Manuscript Librarian, Indiana State Library, 2004-2007; Manuscript Librarian / Reference Librarian, Indiana Division, ISL, 2003-2004.
Relevant Service:
SAA—Member since 2001; RAO Section, 2011-present, Teaching with Primary Sources working group, December 2011-present, Assessment team member, April 2014-present, Survey team member, April 2012-August 2013; National History Day committee member, September 2012-present. Manuscript Repositories Section member, 2001-present, Steering Committee member 2011-2013, Vice Chair, 2013-present; College & University Archives Section, 2010-present. MAC member, 2001-present; Education Committee member, 2008-present; Bowen Scholarship Committee member, 2012-present. ALA member, 2001-present; RBMS (ACRL), 2009-present. Society of Indiana Archivists member, 2003-2013; Vice President, 2007-2008, President, 2008-2009; Exec. Board Member, 2004-2010; Education Committee chair, 2008-2010; Nominating Committee chair, 2009; Program Committee chair, 2007-2008; Scholarship Committee Co-chair, 2006-2008; Archives Leadership Institute 2011 selectee.
For the last few years I have enjoyed contributing to the Teaching with Primary Sources Working Group including working with like-minded colleagues that are both motivated and interested in the future of our profession. I have previously worked with the Survey Team, and am now excited to be on the Assessment Team where we can hopefully bring forward desired and necessary best practices that will help the archival community. I have also appreciated the opportunity to work with the National History Day committee and to provide input on updating the Toolkit. As a member of the Committee I would diligently highlight the Section’s concerns and priorities within SAA. I welcome the opportunity to be a member of the Steering Committee where I can assist in meeting Section members’ needs and concerns, and assist in offering programming opportunities that will keep our members current and relevant. Thank you for your consideration.