Published: December 20, 2024 by Andy Wiegert

Part 2: With her impeccable leadership skills, Rae Lynn turns records management into an adventure worth roaring about.

Rae Lynn Haliday’s role as an educator at SJSU’s iSchool is a natural extension of her impressive career. As a strategic planner and certified records management leader, Rae now prepares future MARA professionals to tackle the evolving challenges of information governance as well as records and archives management. In her teaching, she draws from her hands-on experience with electronic document management systems like DocuWare and SharePoint, as well as global zoological-based record-keeping systems. Her expertise spans project management, database administration, records management and migration, and leadership development, now providing students with practical tools for success.

Rae’s professional journey is marked by an impressive breadth of association leadership roles. She has held officer and director-level positions across four major organizations and a certification board, including the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) and ARMA International. Her contributions to these organizations—such as developing strategic plans, leading marketing initiatives, and managing professional development programs—highlight her as a dynamic leader and change agent in the fields of records management and information governance. From standards development to association marketing strategies, Rae has continually shaped the professional landscape for information management. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes building relationships and fostering collaboration. Having chaired strategic committees like the ICRM Strategic Alliance Committee and spearheaded training programs for records management professionals, Rae knows how to connect theory with real-world applications. Her ability to bridge traditional records practices with modern digital transformation makes her an invaluable mentor at SJSU.

And now we present the second and final part of our interview, where Rae will share her thoughts on her experiences in leadership positions within some industry-leading records management organizations and how current students and recent graduates can benefit from them. Ms. Haliday will also tell us about the new course she is leading, MARA 284: Advanced Leadership and Advocacy for Records Professionals.
Enjoy!

What did you enjoy most about serving in leadership positions at ARMA and ICRM? How can new graduates benefit from membership and being involved at these organizations?

The Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) and ARMA International launched my RIM career; without a doubt, I would not have been able to accomplish those things I’m most-proud of without the education, training, and certification I’ve received through these two organizations. I’ve built countless relationships through long-term membership in ARMA and the ICRM. Beyond the skills and competencies developed and achieved, it is the people that I’ve met, mentored, or been mentored by, the work in volunteer leadership positions, and the comradery and collaboration that have ensued in the grand rally around this profession that keeps me firmly planted here.

I have enjoyed so many aspects of my work with ARMA International and the ICRM. Serving as President of the Institute and working with the Board at the time to create its first academic partnership with the Louisiana State University (LSU) to offer a credit for select ICRM exams for students enrolled in its Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management. I continued my work in academic partnerships as Chair of the ICRM Board and for the 8 or so years that followed, working with its Strategic Alliance Committee to develop additional academic partnerships, including the MARA Program at San Jose State University. My work as an Adjunct Professor for the MARA Program and St. John’s University’s Library and Information Science Program allows me to immerse myself in the collective RIM and Archives profession, and to actively mentor students and graduates entering the field. I worked very closely with ARMA International and other partners at the time in my role with the ICRM’s Strategic Alliance Committee, coordinating the Institute’s participation in the ARMA InfoCon and hosting Exam Prep Workshops. This work was extremely rewarding, again, because of the interactions and engagement with practitioners, students and the up and-coming.

All of this work, milestones, and collaboration eventually led to an opportunity to serve on the ARMA International Board of Directors; I am in my first term as a Director and it has been an amazing experience so far.

Tell us about your new class.

MARA 284: Advanced Leadership and Advocacy for Records Professionals really provides a focus for students to acquire those skills often perceived as soft or secondary that are actually critical to advancing your career and leading RIM programs, Archives or Libraries! This course examines advanced leadership and advocacy from a RIM perspective, building on the management and leadership knowledge introduced in MARA 204. It entails the study of leadership and advocacy issues, models, competencies, and approaches related to records and information management, including an understanding of the relationship between and differing roles of leadership and advocacy within RIM. We dive into leadership styles, traits, and behaviors; people development; building relationships within and beyond your programs; confronting problems; and managing programs in crisis.

During this course, students will be immersed in and focused on developing their leadership and advocacy skills through discussions, analysis, and writing. Students will craft their individual development plans and ultimately a strategy that ensures they are skilled, competent practitioners as well as advocates, leaders, and managers, and able to advance the program (s) they oversee now and well into the future.

Why should students take this class?

I would question why a student wouldn’t take this class? The MARA program is a significant benchmark for students preparing themselves to be successful in the RIM, Archives and IG profession; from an education standpoint, it’s hard to beat! However, once you graduate, what is your plan for developing your leadership and advocacy skills, or are you questioning if your skills in these key areas are still current, will they be effective in today’s market? One thing I’ve learned over the years is that not much happens without a plan. Be intentional with self-advocacy and where you want and need to be as a leader; this course can help you with that!

How do these skills integrate into the current and future job market. What kind of a leader or advocate does it take to be successful in the RIM profession or any field today?

Inclusive leaders and participative managers able to work with diverse groups to problem solve and achieve superior results with strategies around big ticket items like digital transformation or integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), addressing compliance gaps created by emerging risks, laws, regulations and technology is essential. When graduates can say they have completed education in advanced leadership and advocacy for records professionals, and they can demonstrate competencies in those relevant best practices, I do believe this will inspire confidence in future employers. It takes more than just having the practitioner skills, you must also be a competent leader. It’s not going to end with this one course, being an exceptional leader and advocate is a life-long commitment; however, it’s an indicator that you’ve engaged in the process and have a plan!

Be sure to check out Rae Lynn Haliday’s class starting this Spring and please consider attending!

Seminar in Archives and Records Management – Leadership and Advocacy – MARA 284