Warren Wilson College is honored to announce that Dr. Colleen Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States, will deliver the commencement speech at the College’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony. The event will take place on May 10, 2025, celebrating the achievements of the graduating class.

Dr. Shogan was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden to serve as Archivist of the United States in August 2022. Following her confirmation by the U.S. Senate on May 10, 2023, she was sworn into office on May 17, 2023. Her service ended on February 7, 2025.

As the head of the National Archives and Records Administration, she oversaw the preservation and accessibility of the nation’s most vital historical records. This role encompassed safeguarding founding documents like the Declaration of Independence, overseeing presidential libraries, managing federal records centers, and maintaining digital archives. She also promoted government transparency by facilitating public access, advising on records management, and directing declassification efforts.

“The contents of the National Archives tell our American story—a never-ending narrative of struggle and resilience,  unity and pluralism. Above all, it documents the achievements, setbacks, and redemptive task of crafting democracy for all,” said Damián J. Fernández, Ph.D., President of Warren Wilson College. “Dr. Shogan’s dedication to public service, her grit, and her deep knowledge of the theory and practice of politics are a modern day example of the tenacity of the American spirit, committed to advancing the greater good.”

Prior to her role as Archivist of the United States, Dr. Shogan was the Senior Vice President and Director of the David M. Rubenstein Center at the White House Historical Association. Her distinguished career  includes service in the United States Senate and as a senior executive at the Library of Congress. A dedicated advocate for the study of political history, she was Vice Chair of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation. 

Dr. Shogan’s academic background is as impressive. She taught in the Government Department at Georgetown University, led seminars for the Aspen Institute, and held leadership positions within the American Political Science Association. Her research focuses on the American Presidency, presidential rhetoric, women in politics, and Congress. A native of the Pittsburgh area, Dr. Shogan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Boston College and a Ph.D. in American Politics from Yale University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow.

The College community looks forward to an inspiring address from Dr. Shogan, whose expertise and experience will provide graduates with valuable insights as they embark on their next chapters.