Student Archival Assistant, Howard University Archives

Background:

About Moorland-Spingarn Research Center

Founded in 1914, Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) is the largest and most comprehensive repository of books, documents, and ephemera on the global Black experience, including the personal and official papers of Kwame Nkrumah, Angelina We, Mordecai W. Johnson, Anna Julia Cooper, and James Nabrit, to name but a few, from its over seven hundred collections. 

Our mission is to provide access to history of the global Black experience through diverse formats and to preserve it for generations to come.

About Howard University Archives

The Howard University Archives serves as a repository for the official records of the University, including the administrative files of schools, colleges and departments, institutes, university publications, Howard theses and dissertations, as well as materials illustrating the contributions of Howard alumni to society.

Role Overview:

We are looking for Student Archival Assistants for the 2026-2027 school year to provide public, technical, and clerical services to support University Archives activities.

Core Responsibilities:

Assists HUA Archivists with collection processing procedures, such as:

• Data entry (ArchivesSpace)
• Moving and rearranging of secured administrative files and boxes
• Preparing archival material for and providing oversight for research appointments
• Provides input to improve department procedures and operations
• Lifts, moves, and assembles archival materials, furniture, and equipment
• Other job-related, administrative duties as assigned

Core Competencies: 

• Competence in oral and written English
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and software
• Aptitude for detail and accuracy
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and relationships with supervisors, co-workers, faculty, staff, students, donors, researchers, university officials, and the public
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds
• Mature judgment and the ability to prioritize and adapt to numerous duties
• Handles, lifts, and moves records (boxed and unboxed) as necessary to support the operation of the position
   

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a full-time, enrolled Howard University student
• Must have Federal Work Study (FWS) financial award for 2026-2027 school year