UNC Pembroke Senior Explores American History Through Prestigious Library of Congress Fellowship

UNC Pembroke senior Anastasia Sinclair spent her summer inside the world's largest library, helping researchers navigate one of the nation's most significant collections of American history as one of just 37 students and recent graduates nationwide selected for the 2026 Library of Congress Junior Fellows Program.

The prestigious 10-week fellowship provides hands-on professional experience at the Library of Congress, allowing participants to work alongside experts on projects that preserve and expand access to the nation’s historical record.

For Sinclair, a history major on track to graduate in December, the experience confirmed that the career she once imagined was exactly where she belonged.

“The Library of Congress was the dream role with regard to what I want to explore and what I want to do with my history degree moving forward,” Sinclair said. “It was the perfect place to begin branching into those professional spaces.”

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Sinclair initially planned to become a lawyer before discovering her passion for history during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once she arrived at UNCP, a public history course opened her eyes to careers in museums, archives and research libraries.

“I love tracking patterns throughout history,” she said. “I wanted to learn more about cultures that we don't always see represented in mainstream history, especially African American, Hispanic and other minority communities.”

At the Library of Congress, Sinclair quickly moved from studying history to helping others discover it. Working in the Manuscript Division under reference librarian Patrick Kerwin, she helped researchers navigate one of the nation’s most significant archival collections.

Her primary assignment focused on the library’s extensive NAACP manuscript collection, where she created a comprehensive finding aid comparing digital records with physical archival holdings.

The project will help Library of Congress staff and researchers locate materials more efficiently within one of the nation’s most significant civil rights collections.

In addition to her archival work, Sinclair responded to research inquiries through the Library's “Ask a Librarian” service, connecting scholars with primary source materials.

“Being that point of contact for researchers was very meaningful,” she said. “The Library of Congress’ goal is to make these collections accessible so people can discover history that hasn't been explored before.”

Sinclair credits UNCP’s History Department with preparing her for the fellowship.

“Working in the Manuscript Division required a broad knowledge of American history,” she said. “I found myself drawing on what I had learned over the past three years at UNCP almost every day while helping researchers make connections across collections.”

The experience reinforced what Sinclair had discovered at UNCP — studying history is only part of the work. Helping others access, understand and preserve it is equally important, she said.

The fellowship expanded her career aspirations. While Sinclair originally planned to pursue graduate study in public history, the internship sparked a new interest in library science.

“I discovered how much I enjoy reference work,” she said. “Now I’m hoping to pursue a dual master’s degree in public history and library science because it will open so many opportunities to work with archives and connect people with history.”

This summer, Sinclair also presented her research at the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for Higher Education Faculty, sharing work that grew out of archival research conducted as a REACH fellow through UNCP’s REACH program.

Dr. Michele Fazio, professor of English and director of REACH, said Sinclair quickly established herself as a valuable member of the Library of Congress staff.

“Anastasia impressed us all with her knowledge of the Manuscript Division archives during our visit to Washington,” Fazio said. “In a few short weeks, she had learned so much about its key holdings and was eager to assist us in accessing archival materials for our research projects.”

During the REACH cohort's visit, Sinclair led fellow students on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Manuscript Division.

“She showed us historical documents by Thomas Jefferson, Marie Antoinette and Eleanor Roosevelt,” Fazio said. “My favorite moment was when Anastasia revealed an edited version of Walt Whitman's poem, 'O Captain! My Captain!' in his own handwriting, along with Whitman’s walking stick. We were all amazed at the treasures housed there.

“I have no doubt Anastasia's internship has inspired other REACH Fellows to apply for the same opportunity in the future," she said.

Outside the classroom, Sinclair balances her academic pursuits with a successful collegiate basketball career as two-year starter for the Braves. During her junior year, she averaged 12 points per game during the team’s conference championship run and named to the All-Conference team.

“I'm so thankful for what basketball has given me,” she said. “The people at UNCP have made this one of the best experiences of my life. I’ll always be grateful for my teammates, coaches and everything the program has meant to me.”

Sinclair’s long-term goal is to work as a reference librarian or archivist at the Library of Congress or at a major research institution.

“There are collections sitting on shelves that haven't been touched for decades,” she said. “As historians, archivists and librarians, it’s our responsibility to connect people with those collections so they can tell new stories and bring overlooked history into the spotlight.”