During the closing session of the Virginia Library Association’s Annual Conference on October 18, 2024, Kendra Hawkins, Coordinator of Library Services at the Portsmouth Campus, was announced as the newly elected Secretary. The VLA is dedicated to developing, promoting, and improving library services, staff, and the profession of librarianship in Virginia.

Kendra has been with the Portsmouth Campus Library since May 2021, overseeing budgeting, acquisitions, student engagement, collection services, and technology support.

An active VLA member, Kendra recently served on the task force for the 2024 Virginia Library Leadership Academy and co-presented at the 2023 VLA Conference. She advocates for the VLA’s mission to advance literacy, learning, and access to information in Virginia, believing in the crucial role of libraries in fostering education, community, and intellectual freedom.

Congratulations to Kendra Hawkins on this well-deserved achievement!