My name is Aubrey Jarvis and I am attending Syracuse University online to obtain my Masters of Library and Information Science degree. One of the reasons I am seeking my MLIS degree is because of my passion for archival work primarily related to digital spaces. 2025 marks the near completion of my first year in graduate studies.

When a colleague shared about the RDAP Summit opportunity, I saw an organization that was passionate and mission-oriented about data. In an effort to network with other colleagues and to expand my understanding, I applied for the RDAP 2025 Summit.

While I do not currently have a job in librarianship or data services, I appreciated the opportunity to connect with other colleagues and participate in discussions within the field. I worked as a Technology Director for K-12 schools in Oregon for seven years before I sought my MLIS. Much of what was being discussed actually felt familiar.

Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend this important summit. I wouldn’t have been able to listen to panels, such as Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Partnerships regarding collaborative work with researchers, supporting researchers, and strengthening relationships we have with other colleagues. I wouldn’t have been able to learn about the Data Rescue Project and their vital mission of cataloging public data. I wouldn’t have been able to attend the opening keynote that validated our feelings as researchers and reminded me to "focus on focus."

While this conference may have been centered around data access and preservation, the most valuable lesson I took away was that of community. I saw many researchers, archivists, librarians, data scientists, and others coming together in times of crisis to support one another. I saw researchers sharing strategies, waving flags, and detailing road maps. I saw resilience in action surrounded by what matters most: our data and our humanity. Our strength is in our interdependence. I left the conference knowing there were so many doing the work to keep our data safe and that there were a variety of researchers continuing to do excellent work despite the ominous future ahead.

More than likely, I will find a career along these lines of research data, access, and preservation. I look forward to re-joining the RDAP community and attending conferences in the future. Thank you to RDAP, my summit buddy Talisha Harrison, Amy Koshoffer, and those who conducted the New Members and First Time Attendees Get-Together. I felt welcome and I wish you all the best of luck.

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