image: UNF student working in Library archives
Credit: University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Fla. – The University of North Florida proudly announces its selection as one of only eight institutions nationwide to receive a Preservation and Access Education and Training grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 2025. Grants are awarded to support projects that address major challenges in preserving or providing access to humanities collections and resources and prepare the next generation of conservators and preservation professionals.
The $350K award will support the establishment of a three-year Archivist-in-Training program, an initiative designed to provide undergraduates with comprehensive archival training and hands-on experience while preserving significant historical collections in Northeast Florida. Thirty UNF undergraduate students will receive paid internships, intensive training in archival preservation and processing and professional development under the mentorship of UNF faculty and library staff. By providing opportunities for UNF students to work directly with local historical materials, this program will open professional opportunities and cultivate practitioners who prioritize community-connected archival work.
A central focus of the initiative will be preserving Jacksonville’s rich African American history, including its renowned legacy as the “Harlem of the South.” Students will work to preserve critical collections such as the papers of philanthropist Eartha M.M. White, records of early 20th-century jazz in LaVilla and oral histories from the Geechee Gullah communities.
In addition to preserving local history, the initiative may contribute to educational curricula, including Duval County Public Schools’ African American history curriculum and summer writing institutes. If successful, UNF plans to expand the program’s model to other universities to combine undergraduate education with community-connected archival work.
Developed by an interdisciplinary team of faculty in the UNF Digital Humanities Institute led by Dr. Laura Heffernan, English professor, with Susan Swiatosz, University librarian, this program will offer unparalleled experiential learning opportunities. Key community partners include the Eartha M.M. White Museum, Ritz Theatre and Museum, Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center in St Augustine, Mandarin Historical Society and Museum, and Durkeeville Historical Society.
The project was also selected as a National Endowment for the Humanities’ special initiative, “American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future,” as it has potential to help emphasize the role of the humanities in tackling contemporary social challenges.
About University of North Florida
The University of North Florida is a nationally ranked university located on a beautiful 1,381-acre campus in Jacksonville surrounded by nature. Serving nearly 17,000 students, UNF features six colleges of distinction with innovative programs in high-demand fields. UNF students receive individualized attention from faculty and gain valuable real-world experience engaging with community partners. A top public university, UNF prepares students to make a difference in Florida and around the globe. Learn more at www.unf.edu.
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