Golisano Outreach Archives Assistant

This eighteen-month fellowship supports public-facing initiatives that engage the RIT community with the B. Thomas Golisano collection in RIT Archives, under the guidance of the Innovation & Engagement Archivist.

Responsibilities

• Develop physical and digital exhibits related to the B. Thomas Golisano collection.
• Collaborate with RIT faculty to teach with and integrate Golisano collection materials into their classes.
• Conduct oral history projects that enhance collection interpretations and profile individuals related to the life and legacy of B. Thomas Golisano.
• Coordinate logistics for events and public programs related to the Golisano collection.
• Communicate in collaborative partnership with the Golisano Foundation to support Fellowship goals.
• Contribute to the creation of digital content that increases accessibility and engagement with the Golisano collection.
• Provide general support and perform shared responsibilities within RIT Archives, including:
  • Assisting with reference requests.
  • Project-based work.
  • Attending department meetings.
  • Updating, planning, and/or establishing departmental policies and workflows.
• Monitors, organizes, and maintains library stacks to ensure accurate shelving, accessibility, and preservation of materials.
• Assists with collection assessment projects, identifies duplicate items, and coordinates removal or relocation as needed.
• Processes incoming donations and transfers by creating accession records, labeling materials, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Updates and manages collection management systems, tracking the location, condition, and status of archival and library holdings.
• Prepares materials for exhibitions, displays, and external loans under supervision; assists in installation and deinstallation of exhibits, event setup, and public program logistics.
• Participates in library committees, working groups, and outreach initiatives; helps during tours, instructional sessions, or community engagement programs to promote awareness of archives and special collections.
• Other duties as assigned.

About the Fellowship

The Marie Golisano Graham Outreach Archives Assistant Fellowship honors its namesake donor's dual commitments to long-term engagement with the B. Thomas Golisano collection and to supporting early-career individuals at a critical point in their professional development. Recent graduates of Library and Information Science, Museum Studies, Public History, or related degree programs will have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between pursuing advanced study or entering the workforce, gaining intensive hands-on experience in archival outreach, student-centered advocacy within university environments, curation, and living donor relations under professional mentorship.

About The B. Thomas Golisano Collection

Blase Thomas "Tom" Golisano (b. 1941) is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader, mentor, and change-maker for Western New York and Southwest Florida communities. In 1971, he founded Paychex, Inc., a leading national provider of payroll services for small businesses, and served as its President and CEO until his retirement in 2004. In 1985, Golisano established the Golisano Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States supporting initiatives for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). His philanthropic contributions, both personal and through the Golisano Foundation, now exceed $1 billion, including state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and educational institutions like RIT.

The B. Thomas Golisano collection was donated to RIT Archives by his sister Marie Golisano Graham in 2015 and spans Golisano's personal and professional lives from 1965 to present. Since 2022, the collaborative partnership between RIT Archives and the Golisano Foundation has supported dynamic outreach initiatives with the B. Thomas Golisano collection, which continues to accrue as part of this living donor relationship.

Requirements

• Knowledge of archival principles, practices, tools, and systems.
• Knowledge of management, preservation, and archival of born-digital and digitized materials.
• Skill in appraising, processing, and describing archival collections.
• Skill in transferring content from legacy media for archival purposes.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 1 year of relevant experience.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.

Pay

$17.90–$25.00 per hour.

Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.