About
Alexandra Scissom’s work explores the evolving relationship between traditional archives and digital collections, preparing future archivists to care for historical records in both physical and online environments. She is particularly interested in how emerging professionals can navigate this intersection while ensuring historical materials remain discoverable, usable, and relevant for future generations.
As a practicing archivist, Scissom believes archives are most powerful when they connect communities with their own stories. Her work emphasizes thoughtful stewardship, digital accessibility and the role archives play in preserving cultural memory while expanding opportunities for education, research and public engagement.
Impact Beyond the University
Throughout nearly a decade of professional archival work, Scissom has led projects that have expanded public access to historically significant collections. She launched the first online oral history repository for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a collection later featured by the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a resource highlighting Black voices. She also processed the papers of renowned biologist and University of Alabama alumnus E.O. Wilson during her fellowship at the Library of Congress, making the collection available to researchers and the public.
As College Archivist at Shelton State Community College, she helped the institution become the first community college with HBCU status to contribute to the HBCU Digital Collection, strengthening access to historically significant materials while preserving institutional history for future generations.
A Passion for Teaching and Stewardship
Scissom believes education extends well beyond the classroom. She is committed to helping students bridge archival theory with professional practice, offering guidance on everything from résumé development and career exploration to gaining meaningful archival experience. Whether mentoring future archivists, connecting students with professional opportunities, or encouraging them to engage with the broader archival community, Scissom strives to help every student gain practical skill and the professional network needed to preserve and share history in meaningful ways.