Interviews from the Harry Ransom Center

Join us as we explore the different paths that led staff to a career at the Harry Ransom Center. From archival work to business administration, dozens of professionals work together daily to advance the study of the arts and the humanities at The University of Texas at Austin. In this series of short interviews, we learn about the different paths that led staff to a profession in the humanities, and the experiences that have shaped their lives along the way. Staff members share their backgrounds in education, and offer advice to those interested in pursuing a career in museums or higher education. Cline Curator of Theatre & Performing Arts, Eric Colleary, describes what a typical day looks like for him, and how he became a curator, and what it’s like to work with archive materials hands-on. Head of Instructional Services, Andi Gustavson, specializes in teaching using the archives, and works daily with students and instructors; her work brings students into the reading rooms to experience materials firsthand. Communications and Marketing Manager, Randi Ragsdale, spreads the word about the Ransom Center, and works to bring visitors to events and exhibitions. Finally, Financial Officer, Michael Valdez, take us on a tour of the administration side of the Ransom Center. What exactly does it take to keep the Center up and running? Staff from different corners of the Ransom Center come together to tell their professional stories in these short interviews. Though the paths and backgrounds of the staff are different, their roads all led to the Harry Ransom Center.