Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) Viviana Jaquez Archuleta was recently selected as one of Arizona State University's Community Archivist Fellowship recipients. This prestigious program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), aims to introduce students from underserved and underrepresented communities to the field of archiving and inspire them to consider careers in the library profession.
Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Viviana is a first-generation student and mother to her three-year-old son. She is currently pursuing her associate degree in psychology while also working towards becoming a certified paralegal. She has her sights set on transferring to a university in Fall 2027 to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. But that’s not all. Archuleta plans to pursue two terminal degrees: 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.
Participating in the Community Archivist Fellowship not only marks a significant step in Archuleta’s academic journey but also aligns with her broader aspirations of advocating for and empowering marginalized communities. Through this fellowship, she will gain valuable skills and insights that will undoubtedly contribute to her future endeavors as an immigration attorney and psychologist, helping others achieve their dreams and preserving their stories for future generations.
The fellowship program, part of the Community-Driven Archives (CDA) Initiative, is designed to introduce BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students to archives and community archiving, helping them realize that these professions can be a viable career path. 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, and Asian and East Asian.The CDA Initiative hopes to inspire more students to enter the library profession early in their careers, addressing the lack of diversity in the field.
“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 actively reaching out to Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) social clubs across the valley, including MechA and Black Student Union clubs, to share this opportunity. The goal is to expand the program's reach to include students from various backgrounds, with a particular focus on those from underrepresented communities.
The fellowship program runs from August 2024 to May 2025, spanning two semesters. Fellows are expected to dedicate at least four hours per week to their Service Learning Project, gaining practical experience in the field of archiving. In addition to professional development and travel funds, fellows will receive a $10,000 stipend upon completing the program, which can cover almost a full year’s tuition at ASU.
Visit the ASU Library’s Community-Driven Archives Initiative website for more information or contact the program director and Chicano Research Collections archivist Nancy Godoy at nancy.godoy@asu.edu or Assistant Archivist of Black Collections Jessica Salow at jsalow@asu.edu. Additional information can be found at ASU’s Labriola National American Indian data center website.
For general information about Paradise Valley Community College, visit the website. Additional information on DEI can be found here.