Overview
The Rising Star Award recognizes individual staff members who have made exceptional contributions to their state or territorial archives. This award highlights outstanding achievements by archival professionals who support their institutions in meaningful ways, often behind the scenes.
Why This Award Matters
Celebrates excellence at all levels. It acknowledges the hard work and dedication of staff members whose contributions may not always be in leadership roles, but whose efforts are vital to archival success.
Encourages professional growth. By shining a light on rising talent, CoSA motivates staff to continue building their careers and to take on new challenges.
Fosters a culture of recognition. Recognizing staff members reinforces CoSA’s commitment to valuing the broad range of skills and roles needed in archival institutions.
Strengthens the archival workforce. Highlighting rising stars helps retain and inspire talent in the archival community, ensuring strong institutional continuity and innovation.
2026 Nomination Schedule
May: Deadline for nominations
Late June: Announcement of award recipients
- Late Summer/Early Fall: Awards presented at the CoSA Annual Meeting in Columbia, NC
Any questions may be directed to awards@statearchivists.org.
Staff members of state or territorial archives who have demonstrated notable achievement, initiative, or leadership in their work.
Individuals at any stage of their early or mid-career, including those not yet in supervisory or managerial roles.
Staff whose contributions positively impact their institution, even if their work is primarily behind the scenes.
- Who Can Nominate: Anyone - individuals, organizations, or CoSA members. Self-nominations are not accepted.
- What to submit:
- Brief Biography (up to 1 page): Describe the nominee’s achievements, ongoing work, and CoSA involvement.
- Letter of support: At least one; from someone familiar with the nominee’s work.
- Optional materials: Resume/CV, examples of work, promotional materials, press releases, etc.
- How to nominate: Submit via the online nomination form (link coming soon).
- Selection committee: The CoSA Awards Committee (chaired by the Immediate Past President) reviews all nominations.
- Number of awards: The committee determines how many awards to give; it may also choose to not give an award in a particular cycle.
- The recipient will receive a certificate.
- The winner is publicly recognized at the CoSA Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony and via CoSA’s communications channels (website, newsletter, social media).
- CoSA can provide a press release template to help the awardee announce their achievement.
- Nominate a colleague, peer, or institution - consider individuals or programs that demonstrate leadership above and beyond.
- Spread the word - share the nomination form with your networks.
- Celebrate winners - once recipients are announced, help promote their work by sharing their stories.
- Support CoSA’s mission - recognizing leadership helps build a stronger community of state and territorial archives.
Rising Star Award Recipients
