Elena Smith Umland
About Elena Smith Umland
Elena Smith Umland is an Archives Processing Assistant at Harvard Business School, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Wheaton College and a Master's degree in Information Science from Simmons University, and has a strong interest in museums and cultural heritage preservation.
Current Role at Harvard Business School
Elena Smith Umland has been serving as an Archives Processing Assistant at Harvard Business School since 2019. In this role, she utilizes ArchivesSpace and Excel to manage and process archival materials. Her responsibilities include organizing and maintaining collections, ensuring accessibility, and supporting research initiatives within the institution.
Education and Expertise
Elena Smith Umland holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Wheaton College Massachusetts, which she completed from 2013 to 2017. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master's degree in Information Science and Informatics from Simmons University, studying from 2018 to 2020. Her academic background includes a final thesis focused on Native American museums and the presentation of Native American identity.
Professional Experience in Museums
Elena has a diverse background in museum work, having held various positions that enhance her expertise in cultural heritage preservation. She completed an internship as an Accessibility Intern at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, she interned at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center in 2016 and worked as a Collection Assistant for the Art and Art History Department at Wheaton College from 2013 to 2016.
Previous Employment
Before her current role, Elena gained experience in customer service and support roles. She worked as a Barista at Starbucks in Seattle from 2017 to 2018 and served as a Shift Lead at Cold Stone Creamery from 2015 to 2017. Additionally, she worked as a Public Service Assistant and Teaching Assistant at Wheaton College from 2013 to 2017, contributing to various academic and public service initiatives.
Commitment to Cultural Heritage
Elena Smith Umland has a life-long passion for museums and cultural heritage preservation. This commitment is reflected in her academic pursuits and professional experiences, where she actively engages in projects that promote accessibility and representation within cultural institutions.