Archivist Hanna Pennington ’22 on Building a Professional Community

Hanna Pennington, MSLIS ’22, is an archivist and associate director at the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, which provides Fellowships to artists, scientists, and scholars. Balancing a full-time role at the Foundation with her studies at Pratt, she discovered the importance of building a professional community that continues to sustain her as a solo archivist. In this Q&A, she shares her professional journey and tips for aspiring archivists.

Can you tell us about your current role and what a typical day looks like for you? 

In my current role, I work to preserve and organize the Guggenheim Foundation’s archives and library and assist researchers with inquiries about Guggenheim Fellows and Foundation history. 

The Foundation has awarded over 19,000 Fellowships in over 50 fields, from chemistry to choreography. What I love about my work is that I am always learning new things about the fascinating lives and work of Guggenheim Fellows. 

Recently, I cocurated the exhibition The Guggenheim Fellowship at 100 with Saray Vazquez at The New York Historical. The exhibition marked the Foundation’s centennial, explored the impact of the Fellowship program on American cultural and intellectual history, and highlighted the work of Fellows in diverse fields.

Looking back, what was the most valuable part of your Pratt education? 

The most valuable courses I took at Pratt were ones where we did hands-on work or practiced skills with direct applications. Reference and Instruction, Conservation and Preservation, and Academic Libraries and Scholarly Communication were especially useful. Conservation Lab was a favorite.  

Meeting other students approaching work in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums from varying backgrounds and perspectives was welcoming and informative. I’ve made wonderful friends at Pratt who have enriched my life and helped shape the way I think about our field.  

You pursued your MSLIS while also working full-time at the Guggenheim Foundation. How did you navigate that, and which resources were most crucial?

At Pratt, I was a part-time student in the evenings while working full-time at the Guggenheim Foundation in a previous role that included both archival and grant administration work. 

The most impactful Pratt resources that helped me navigate this time were the Learning/Access Center and the Pratt student chapter of the Society of American Archivists with its connections, community, and events. 

Have you had to learn a major new skill to stay current or pursue a new opportunity?

I am currently learning about being a solo archivist. My current role is multifaceted, a balance between many aspects of archival work. 

The book Alone in the Stacks: Succeeding as a Solo Archivist by Christina Zamon (SAA, 2024) is a great resource, as is the Society of American Archivists Solo Archivists Section. Since graduating from Pratt, I’ve also pursued continuing education courses to expand my understanding of digital preservation.  

What advice would you give to a student about making a creative career a reality?

Seek out community and opportunities to learn from others through professional associations, community archives, and local and virtual events. Don’t be intimidated to reach out to people you admire to learn more about their work. I am indebted to and grateful for the generosity of archivists who have welcomed me and shared their wisdom, feedback, and experience with me in my early career.