The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced today the appointment of Kelly Policelli as the new State Archivist of North Carolina. Policelli most recently served as an assistant librarian and coordinator of University Archives and Special Collections at Elon University.
“Kelly brings years of experience and passion to the State Archivist role, including a number of years in various roles at the State Archives,” said Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “I’m confident she will do an excellent job guiding the State Archives in its mission to collect, preserve and provide public access to historically significant archival materials relating to North Carolina.”
“I am so excited to be leading the State Archives at such a pivotal moment,” said Policelli. “The information landscape has been upended by digital technologies and, now, powerful AI tools that will change the way we work. And yet, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the value of our archives and the stories they tell has rarely been more clear. I'm looking forward to working with my new colleagues in the division and the larger department to safeguard not just our physical collections but our digital history for future generations of North Carolinians. This great state has so many stories yet to tell.”
Prior to her work at Elon, Policelli worked with Digital Durham at Duke University, followed by service at the Heinz History Center Library and Archive, N.C. State University Special Collections Research Center, University of North Carolina Photographic Archive, and various positions at the North Carolina State Archives.
Policelli started her new role on Dec. 1.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.