Overview
The Victoria Irons Walch Emerging Leader Award recognizes and supports early-career professionals in state and territorial archives. Named for CoSA’s first Executive Director, this award provides continuing education funds for leadership training and celebrates emerging talent in archival leadership.
Why This Award Matters
Encourages professional development by supporting leadership training.
Recognizes individuals who show promise and initiative in state or territorial archives.
Promotes succession and innovation in the archival field.
Highlights CoSA’s commitment to investing in its future leaders.
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.
Nominees for this award must:
Be an emerging leader working in a state or territorial archives.
Demonstrate ongoing commitment to archival work, including CoSA-related activities.
Show professional promise, leadership potential, and a capacity for growth.
Who Can Nominate: Anyone - individuals, organizations, or CoSA members. Self-nominations are welcome.
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 and funding for leadership training.
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.