Lia (Apodaca) Kerwin, a 2000 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), fondly looks back on her high school years as a time filled with memorable moments and a strong sense of community. Her experiences at PVHS, from being involved in extracurricular activities to growing up in a close-knit, diverse environment, helped shape her personal and professional journey.
Lia’s involvement in the concert band and the girls’ golf team throughout her four years at PVHS stands out as some of her most cherished memories. As a member of the concert band, she had the opportunity to express her creativity and school spirit through music, develop her skills on the clarinet, and play at PVHS football and basketball games, an experience she holds dear to this day. On the girls’ golf team, Lia developed a sense of discipline and teamwork that has stayed with her in her life and career. “I loved being in the concert band and playing on the girls’ golf team all four years,” she recalls, emphasizing how important these activities were to her high school experience.
Her dedication to community service shone through her involvement with the Interact Club, a group that gave students opportunities to engage in volunteer work and give back to the Pahrump community. Volunteering with Interact allowed Lia to develop a passion for helping others, a value that has continued to influence her throughout her life.
One particularly unique aspect of Lia’s time at PVHS was having her mother, affectionately known as “Ms. A,” as her teacher. Lia treasures the fact that her mother was a favorite among many students, and she takes pride in having shared that experience with her peers. “Having my mother as my English and yearbook teacher, and knowing that ‘Ms. A’ was a favorite teacher for so many others, was pretty cool too,” Lia said.
Looking back, Lia doesn’t single out one specific event as her favorite memory. “PVHS was such a unique experience,” she shares, “and maybe rather than one specific memory, it’s more of an appreciation of growing up in a diverse yet small town experience and being part of a close-knit school where it felt like we all knew each other.”
After graduating from PVHS, Lia’s journey took her far from Pahrump, but the lessons and values she gained from her high school years stayed with her. She attended the University of Alabama, earning her B.A. in English in December 2003. During her time at Alabama, Lia became a part of the “Million Dollar Band,” marching band playing clarinet for four years and traveling to perform at numerous football stadiums and games, an experience that allowed her to combine her love for music with her school spirit.
Lia initially considered a career in pharmacy and declared a pre-pharmacy major. However, she soon realized it wasn’t for her, and switched her major to English which better aligned with her passion for reading, research, and writing. While completing her last year of undergraduate studies, Lia took on a part-time job at the university’s main library in the acquisitions department. There, she got her first taste of library work, cataloging and inventorying newly purchased books. That simple task ignited her curiosity and passion for librarianship, prompting her to explore a career in the field. With her growing interest in information science, Lia decided to pursue a master’s degree in Library and Information Science immediately after earning her bachelor’s degree in English. She enrolled at the University of South Florida (USF) to further develop her knowledge and skills in librarianship.
During her time at USF, Lia discovered her passion for working with special collections—unique materials like photographs, manuscripts, and historical artifacts that require specialized handling and preservation. Her coursework delved into the theories and practices of library science, but it was her hands-on experience that truly shaped her career path. Lia secured a graduate assistant position at the USF library, where she had the opportunity to work with the special collections department, helping researchers and organizing historical documents related to Florida’s history. This experience deepened her interest in the field and solidified her decision to focus on special collections in her future career.
A pivotal moment came when Lia applied for and was selected to participate in the highly competitive Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program at the Library of Congress. The program, which draws aspiring librarians from across the country, places participants in various roles within the Library. Lia was assigned to the Manuscript Division, where she worked on organizing and preserving the personal papers of Congresswoman Patsy Mink, a co-author of the landmark Title IX legislation. This internship not only provided Lia with valuable experience in archival work but also introduced her to the world of special collections at the nation’s largest library. The experience had a profound impact on Lia, confirming that she wanted to pursue a career at the Library of Congress.
Returning to USF for her final year of graduate school, Lia was even more motivated. She applied for another internship at the Library of Congress, this time through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program. With her previous experience at the Library, Lia was once again selected, this time working in the Manuscript Reading Room, where she assisted researchers and provided reference services. Though she initially felt nervous about speaking to researchers and answering inquiries, the experience helped her build confidence in her communication skills. This role also allowed Lia to gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate and interpret complex archival collections for patrons.
Lia’s dedication and performance during her internships paid off. Upon completing her second internship in 2005, just as she graduated with her master’s degree, Lia was offered a full-time position as a reference librarian in the Manuscript Reading Room at the Library of Congress. It was a dream job for Lia—one she hadn’t expected to secure so soon after graduation. In her new role, she assisted researchers in locating and accessing historical documents, helping them navigate the Library’s vast manuscript collections. The job was intellectually stimulating, as every day presented new challenges and opportunities to help patrons uncover valuable historical treasures. Lia thrived in the role, building relationships with researchers and receiving recognition in many academic books and articles for her assistance.
As Lia’s career progressed, she sought opportunities to expand her skills beyond the traditional role of a reference librarian. In 2011, she accepted a one-year appointment in the office of the Chief of Staff at the Library of Congress, the third-highest-ranking official in the institution. In this role, Lia worked on high-level program management and policy advising, gaining valuable experience in leadership and organizational planning. The position exposed her to the broader workings of the Library, allowing her to engage with staff across departments and contribute to the Library’s strategic decision-making processes. It was a transformative experience that broadened Lia’s skill set and allowed her to develop her project management capabilities and networks.
After her time in the Chief of Staff’s office, Lia returned to the Manuscript Division for a short period before being offered a permanent position back in the Chief of Staff’s office. This marked a significant turning point in Lia’s career as she shifted from a purely library-focused role to one that involved more management and policy oversight. In her new role, Lia worked on projects that supported the Library’s senior leadership, helping to prepare briefings for congressional hearings, managing special initiatives, and analyzing policies and overseeing infrastructure improvements within the Library. Her work required long hours and the ability to handle confidential and time-sensitive assignments, but Lia found the role immensely rewarding.
In 2015, Lia’s career took another turn when she transitioned to work for the Chief Operating Officer of the Library. This new role involved analyzing the operational side of the Library, including human resources, facilities, finance, contracts, and security programs, processes and operations. Lia played a key role in evaluating program plans and initiatives that supported the Library’s mission. After a year in that role, she was asked to serve as Special Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a position she continues to hold today. In this capacity, Lia advises the CFO on short- and long-term organizational planning and management activities, contributing to the CFO’s planning and evaluation of financial management initiatives and performance goals.
Throughout her career at the Library of Congress, Lia has embraced opportunities to travel and represent the institution at national and international conferences, including trips to Helsinki and Singapore. She has also been recognized for her leadership and contributions to various high-profile projects, including the development of the Chief Operating Officer’s first-ever “directional plan,” which outlines goals aimed at providing more efficient and effective operations and services over the next several years.
Lia’s career has been enriched by her commitment not only to her professional life but also to her involvement in community and cultural initiatives. For over 15 years, she has actively volunteered with the Library of Congress’s Hispanic Cultural Society, an employee organization that promotes and celebrates Hispanic, Latino, and Spanish histories and cultures. Lia has helped organize social events and programs throughout the year, which highlight the diverse staff and collections at the Library. Her role as the society’s de facto historian has allowed her to chronicle the organization’s rich history while contributing to its growth and outreach efforts.
Lia has also maintained close ties to her roots in Pahrump, keeping in touch with classmates and friends from PVHS through social media and occasional visits back to the area. Her connection to her mother remains strong. Ms. Apodaca continues to follow the successes of her former students, and Lia enjoys hearing about the new generations of PVHS students, many of whom are the children of her former classmates.
In her personal life, Lia has been happily married to her husband, Patrick, and living in Alexandria, VA for over 17 years. The couple first met while working together in the Library of Congress’s Manuscript Division and recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. Though they have no children of their own, Lia is a stepmother to Patrick’s two daughters, who are now grown and living in Seattle and New York City. Lia and Patrick share their home with two beloved cats, Carmelita and Kiki, whom they adopted from the same litter. These “fur-babies” have become a cherished part of their lives, providing joy and comfort, especially during stressful workdays.
Outside of her professional career, Lia has continued her love of sports by playing in a summer recreational softball league in Washington, D.C. She was recruited by a colleague to join a co-ed team in the Congressional Softball League, which plays games once a week on the National Mall. The league emphasizes camaraderie and casual fun, offering Lia a way to stay connected to a sport she first played in her youth in Pahrump. Softball has been a long-standing part of her life, dating back to her early years playing in Pahrump’s youth softball program and continuing through her time as a freshman on the jr. varsity softball team at PVHS.
In her free time, Lia enjoys hiking, fishing, and cooking with her husband, as well as exploring Virginia’s many state parks and wildlife areas. She also loves to travel whenever the opportunity arises. With the flexibility of working from home four days a week, Lia has been able to find a better balance between her professional responsibilities and personal interests.
As for her future aspirations, Lia is committed to her work at the Library of Congress, where she has spent nearly two decades. Her goal is to complete her federal career at the institution, where many employees retire after more than 35 years of service. Lia feels fortunate to have landed her dream job at such an esteemed cultural institution, and she is eager to continue contributing to the Library’s mission.
Looking ahead, Lia is excited about expanding responsibilities in her role, including taking on more oversight of workforce management and administrative operations in her office. As a liaison for the Chief Financial Officer, she will represent the office on various cross-Library committees and projects. Lia is enthusiastic about the opportunities these new responsibilities will bring and is looking forward to the contributions she can make in the years to come.
