The PATH Program: Preserving Archives of Texas Heritage (PATH) is a collaborative initiative designed to build stewardship in cultural resource work while enhancing accessibility to archival and museum collections. This joint effort is carried out in partnership between the University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) through the Libraries’ Community Engaged Digital Scholarship Hub (CEDISH), the Texas Heritage Project at American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AIT-SCM), and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (SAAN), part of the National Park Service.
Launched in Spring 2025, this program trains student interns in archival processing, digital preservation, GIS mapping, and community-driven public engagement through hands-on experience and cohort-based learning. These efforts will broaden access to resources such as historic maps, documents, and records for the San Antonio and South Texas Community.
During the 2026-2027 academic year, the PATH program expanded its community partnership through the addition of the San Antonio African American Community Archive.
Read Our PATH Intern Testimonials
Up to two students will be selected to work with San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum (SAAACAM) for the Spring 2027 semester. Student placement in either organization will depend on fit and experience. Priority will be given to students who demonstrate overall excellence in their student careers and hold appropriate interests, career goals, skills, and/or experience. Interns will receive a stipend of $1,000 and can arrange course credit through their department. This is a 10-hour/week and 150 hour total commitment, starting the 1st week of the Spring 2027 semester. Students must have transportation to travel downtown to SAAACAM headquarters.
Applications are due November 16. Interview notifications will be sent around November 30. Interview of finalists will occur between December 10 and 14.
Position Overview
The Archive Experiential Intern is a student position supporting SAAACAM’s Archivist in collecting, preserving, and sharing Black cultural heritage in the San Antonio region and Southwest. The student will gain hands-on experience in a non-profit institution while also engaging in general archival activities such as artifact handling, accession, housing, metadata management, digitization, and more. These activities will be undertaken with an emphasis on community access and connections, offering the Intern exposure to a wide range of knowledge and skills.
Responsibilities and Competencies Developed
- Develop a foundation of cultural heritage education including the history, ethics, and theory of archival practices.
- Support archival processes such as artifact handling, accessioning, archival processing, preservation, and proper housing of collection materials.
- Assist with metadata creation, records management, and digitization to improve the organization, accessibility, and discoverability of archival collections.
- Contribute to community engagement initiatives as needed during Archive Outreach events such as Black History Month and Juneteenth Events
- Oral history training and interviews available dependent on schedule.
Preferred Qualifications
- Studies related to African American Studies, History, Communications, Education, Public Policy, etc.
- Strong interest in learning archival and museum collections practices.
- Emphasized attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently as needed in a diverse environment.
- Basic computer skills and knowledge of Google Suite.