PHX Reporter

Viviana Jaquez Archuleta, a student at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), has been selected as one of the recipients of Arizona State University's Community Archivist Fellowship. This program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), aims to introduce students from underserved and underrepresented communities to archiving and inspire them to consider careers in the library profession.

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Archuleta is a first-generation student and mother. She is pursuing an associate degree in psychology while working towards becoming a certified paralegal. She plans to transfer to a university in Fall 2027 to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and later pursue a Juris Doctorate and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology.

“My ultimate goal is to empower others to achieve their American dreams through her future work as both an immigration attorney and psychologist,” Archuleta said.

The fellowship aligns with Archuleta’s broader aspirations of advocating for marginalized communities. Through this program, she will gain skills that will contribute to her future endeavors as an immigration attorney and psychologist.

The fellowship is part of the Community-Driven Archives (CDA) Initiative, which aims to introduce BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students to archives and community archiving. A 2015 survey by the Society of American Archivists revealed that 86 percent of archivists are white, with only 2.34 percent Latino, 2.26 percent Black, and less than one percent divided between Native American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Asian, and East Asian. The CDA Initiative hopes to inspire more students from diverse backgrounds to enter the library profession early in their careers.

“I was fully onboard with supporting Viviana in her pursuit of this fellowship,” said Dr. Amina Simmons, PVCC’s executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). “Opportunities like these help our learners, in particular our self-identified BIPOC students, literally see themselves represented in history—and that matters.”

Ah’Sha Notah, one of the program organizers, has been reaching out to Maricopa County Community College District social clubs such as MechA and Black Student Union clubs to share this opportunity with students from various backgrounds.

The fellowship runs from August 2024 to May 2025 over two semesters. Fellows are expected to dedicate at least four hours per week to their Service Learning Project. They will receive professional development funds, travel funds, and a $10,000 stipend upon completing the program.

For more information about the ASU Library’s Community-Driven Archives Initiative or contact details for program directors Nancy Godoy or Jessica Salow can be found on their respective websites.

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