Q&A With Archives Intern Laila Jaffer ’15

Thanks to the generosity and inspiration of Ted and Lori Samuels P ’09, ’10, ’17, Poly is embarking on a new chapter in preserving its history. Their lead support made it possible to expand the work of the Poly Archives—home to yearbooks, issues of The Paw Print, Poly magazines, awards, news articles, notable documents, and memorabilia—and to bring on a dedicated Archives Intern to help guide this important effort.

We’re thrilled to welcome Laila Jaffer ’15, who joins Poly as the Archives Intern to lead the school’s digitization initiative. Thanks to the support from the Samuels family, Laila will process the digitizing of key materials, starting with yearbooks and other publications, ensuring that our community’s memories remain accessible even in times of loss and recovery.

Laila brings a rich, interdisciplinary background to her new role as Archives Intern at Poly. She has woven together her passion for history, cultural analysis, and community service from the start of her academic journey. After working through the challenges of graduating during the pandemic and gaining valuable experience in the hospitality and nonprofit sectors, she pivoted toward the world of archives and information science. Now a master’s student in library and information science (MLIS) at UCLA, Laila is dedicated to ensuring the preservation and accessibility of Poly’s historical archives. Laila’s role is central to connecting Poly’s past with its present—combining her love of history, libraries, and people to foster a deeper sense of community and continuity at the school. Read on for more about her work with Poly’s Archives.

If you were impacted by the fires and have Poly memorabilia you'd like to replace, please reach out to us. A few of you have already done so, and we'd love to hear from others. Contact the Alumni Office at alumni@polytechnic.org.

 

 

PolyNews: What have you been up to since you graduated and what led you back to Poly? 

Laila Jaffer: I did my undergrad at NYU Gallatin, which is a create-your-own-major program. I focused on “decolonial dress,” combining dress history and postcolonial theory, with a minor in South Asian Studies. I graduated in 2020, which was tough due to the pandemic. I took a bit longer to graduate and did a video project for my thesis. I initially looked for museum jobs, but it was a difficult time, so I worked in hospitality at the W Hotel in Brooklyn before eventually moving to Colorado and changing my career direction.

 

PolyNews: What took you to Colorado? 

LJ: My partner got a job in Colorado Springs, so we moved there. I worked at a Children’s Advocacy Center, which shifted my focus and skill set more toward administration and volunteer coordination.

 

PN: How did you decide to pursue a master’s in library and information science? 

LJ: In the process of that job, I really started thinking about what I studied in undergrad again, and my interest in history. I had originally been applying to museum jobs when I had first graduated and pretty much all of them asked you to have a master's in library and information science. I thought, “if every job that I want to do requires this degree, maybe I should look into the degree?” It sounded very up my alley. So I applied, and luckily, got into UCLA and now I'm here.

 

PN: What are your current goals at Poly? 

LJ: I was brought in largely as a response to the Eaton Fire, which affected many in the Poly community. My main goal is securing and digitizing archival materials to support alums and staff who lost theirs. I’m also working to make these digital materials accessible through an online database.

 

PN: Are you working with anyone on this project? 

LJ: Yes, mainly with Archives Manager Barbara Bishop, who knows Poly’s first 100 years of history inside out. I’ve worked with Librarians Nora Murphy and Natalie Mattox (who also graduated from UCLA), and we’ve already digitized many yearbooks with outside help. I’m focusing on making these files accessible. We’re currently testing the software Omeka, which is new for most of us.