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Vanessa Reyes

overview

  • Dr. Vanessa Reyes is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Library Science (MLS) Program at East Carolina University, where she leads the Archives and Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration. Her research focuses on how individuals, particularly older adults, manage, organize, and preserve personal and family information across both digital and physical formats. She is especially interested in the emotional and practical aspects of personal information management and how these practices influence memory, identity, and intergenerational connections.
    Dr. Reyes is also the Principal Investigator for the ECU FOCAS (Faculty Organizing for Community Archives Support) project, a $1.1 million initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation. This project involves collaboration among library and information science (LIS) faculty from nine universities across the U.S. and Canada to co-develop community archives curricula and create paid internships that promote local memory work and community engagement in archives education.
    In the Archives and Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration at ECU's MLS program, she teaches courses centered on community-based learning. Her teaching approach combines digital literacy, digital stewardship, and participatory archival methods, encouraging students to collaborate with local communities to preserve cultural heritage in meaningful and accessible ways.
    If you are interested in personal archives or community-based memory work, Dr. Reyes would love to connect. Please feel free to reach out via email at reyesv23@ecu.edu to continue the conversation.

selected publications

presentations

professional service activities

  • 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the Society of North Carolina Archivists (SNCA) and the South Carolina Archival Association (SCAA) Program/Department Service
    Role: Outreach Chair, and Archives & Cultural Heritage Informatics Concentration Lead
    Event: 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the Society of North Carolina Archivists (SNCA) and the South Carolina Archival Association (SCAA)
    Dates: May 28-29, 2026
    Location: J. Murrey Atkins Library, UNC Charlotte
    Conference Theme: Many Voices, Stronger Archives: Advocacy through Community
    Description of Activity
    As Outreach Chair for the MLS Program, I tabled at the SNCA annual conference to promote the Archives and Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration. I represented East Carolina University at the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of SNCA and SCAA. I tabled for the full duration of the twoday conference, serving as the primary representative for ECU's archives curriculum. Our program was the only archives program present from the entire state of North Carolina, providing a unique opportunity to highlight ECU's leadership in archival education.
    Throughout the event, I engaged with practicing archivists, special collections librarians, cultural heritage professionals, and students from across both states. Conversations centered on curriculum strengths, professional competencies, and opportunities for graduate study in archives and cultural heritage informatics. I also provided guidance to prospective students and practitioners seeking to expand their credentials or transition into archival roles.
    Impact and Outcomes

    Significantly increased statewide visibility for ECU's Archives & Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration.
    Strengthened professional relationships with archivists and cultural heritage practitioners across NC and SC.
    Identified prospective students and professional partners interested in future collaboration or enrollment.
    Demonstrated ECU's commitment to communitycentered archival practice in alignment with the conference theme.
    Reinforced ECU's presence at a major regional archival gathering where no other NC archives program was represented.

    Relevance to Program and College Goals
    This outreach activity directly supports program recruitment, professional engagement, and community partnership goals. Participation at SNCA/SCAA advances ECU's visibility within the archival profession and aligns with COE's mission to foster leadership, advocacy, and communitydriven educational practice. 2025 - 2027
  • North Carolina State Historical Records Board Appointed by the State of North Carolina Office of The Governor to serve as a member of the North Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board. Pursuant to the Bylaws of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the full term will be served on October 31, 2027. 2024 - 2027
  • Program Outreach and Engagement Program Outreach and Engagement
    Role: Outreach Chair, ECU Master of Library Science Program
    Event: Third Annual COE STEM Symposium
    Date: July 29, 2026
    Location: East Carolina University College of Education
    Activity
    As Outreach Chair for the ECU MLS Program, I represented the program at the third annual COE STEM Symposium, serving as the primary point of contact for prospective students, educators, and community partners. I staffed an outreach table throughout the event, engaging with approximately seventy educators and attendees. Conversations centered on program offerings, the School Librarianship concentration, and pathways for both new and returning students.
    I provided individualized guidance to prospective students, including current educators exploring career transitions and former MLS students seeking to rejoin the program. I also strengthened relationships with COE partners, including CSTEM Lab colleagues.
    Impact and Outcomes

    Increased program visibility among K-12 educators and STEMfocused attendees.
    Identified multiple prospective students with strong interest in School Librarianship.
    Reconnected with a former MLS student seeking to resume studies, facilitating followup with program staff.
    Demonstrated MLS program engagement at a major COE event where MLS was the only IDP program represented.
    Gathered outreach insights to inform fall recruitment planning and shared report with committee.

    Relevance to Program and College Goals
    This outreach activity directly supports MLS recruitment priorities, strengthens community engagement, and aligns with COE's mission to promote educational leadership and service. The event provided meaningful opportunities to communicate program strengths, expand awareness, and cultivate new student interest. 2025
  • ALISE Membership Committee Responsible for supporting member recruitment, onboarding new members, and conducting outreach to lapsed members. As the Committee Chair, I provided leadership for these initiatives, working alongside the Board of Directors and ALISE staff.
    Key duties for the ALISE Membership Committee Chair include:
    - Strategic Planning & Recruitment: Developing and implementing plans to attract new members and retain current members.
    - Onboarding & Engagement: Welcoming new members, introducing them to the organization, and connecting them with ALISE opportunities.
    - Liaison & Communication: Serving as the primary contact between the committee, the Board of Directors, and ALISE staff (such as the Director of Membership).
    - Meeting Management: Scheduling and leading committee meetings, setting agendas, and facilitating discussions.
    - Reporting: Providing regular updates on committee activities and progress to the ALISE Board of Directors.
    - Documentation & Transitions: Keeping committee files organized and ensuring a smooth handoff of duties to the incoming chair. 2023 - 2025
  • ASIS&T SIG III International Café As the SIG-III International Café Co-Chair, I fostered global engagement by organizing bi-monthly, informal virtual "café" sessions for networking and idea exchange. Key duties included planning themes, coordinating, hosting sessions, and submitting a year-end report on activities to the InfoShare Chair. 2023 - 2024
  • Beta Phi Mu The International Library and Information Studies Honor Society As a Director-at-Large for the Beta Phi Mu International Library and Information Studies Honor Society, I served on the Executive Board for three years, completing my final year of service during the 2023-2024 evaluation year. In this role, I promoted academic achievement, supported the organization's growth, and fostered the values of scholarship, leadership, and service. I contributed to strategic decision-making, advocated for the profession, and participated in various committee work. 2023 - 2024
  • The International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion (IJIDI) As Co-Editor-in-Chief, my duties included leading the journal's strategic direction, managing the editorial team, and ensuring the integrity of the peer-review process, often focusing on themes like inclusive workplace practices. They oversee manuscript screening, curate content for thematic issues, and adhere to ethical standards. 2023 - 2024
  • Journal of Education for Library and Information Science As a peer reviewer, assess submitted research manuscripts for scholarly value, relevance to LIS education, and methodological strength. My responsibilities include offering constructive feedback, evaluating suitability for publication, ensuring adherence to ethical standards, and meeting deadlines to support high-quality research in the field. 2023
  • ASIS&T Evaluate submissions for the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) by providing timely, unbiased, and constructive feedback based on specific criteria like originality (15%) and methodology (15%). Maintaining confidentiality, identifying conflicts of interest, and ensuring high-quality, ethical standards in research. 2023
  • Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology Responsible for assessing the originality, quality, and relevance of manuscripts in the information science field. Provide constructive, evidence-based, and timely feedback on methodology, significance, and clarity while maintaining confidentiality and following ethical standards. 2023

preferred title

  • Assistant Professor