Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to faculty and staff on Oct. 8, 2025. – Ed.

Dear colleagues, 

I write today with the bittersweet news that Dean Carrie Cooper has been named Dean of University Libraries at Florida State University. Following more than 14 years as William & Mary’s Dean of University Libraries, this move represents an exciting career milestone as well as a homecoming for Dean Cooper. In addition to being closer to her family, FSU is her undergraduate alma mater. 

During her time at William & Mary, Dean Cooper made exceptional contributions to University Libraries and the broader campus community. Under her leadership, the libraries advanced significantly in both academic and community roles. She led efforts to expand digital resources by launching an institutional repository, implementing electronic theses and dissertations, and digitizing backfiles for open access. She also secured funding and led the renovation of the Reeder Media Center to support the university’s new general education curriculum and growing focus on digital literacy. Her commitment to faculty engagement was evident in the creation of the University Libraries Faculty Scholar position, which promotes the use of open educational resources and supports the development of digital scholarship infrastructure.

Under Dean Cooper’s leadership, University Libraries raised over $22 million during the For the Bold campaign. She helped expand library access by negotiating resource-sharing agreements with Williamsburg Regional Library for both local patrons and William & Mary employees living outside the city. She also held key campus leadership roles, including chairing the William & Mary Learning Spaces Committee and the Comprehensive Planning Steering Committee. She departs W&M with a legacy of service-centered leadership, strong campus relationships, and institution-wide impact, including co-leading the Democracy cornerstone of Vision 2026 and playing a central role in the university’s annual Professional Development Day events.

Dean Cooper’s last day at William & Mary will be December 5, 2025. Lisa Nickel will assume the role of Interim Dean of University Libraries. Lisa has served as Associate Dean of Research and Public Services at William & Mary since 2013, providing leadership and managerial direction for library operations for public services, which includes 22 employees in four units: Research and Instruction, Reeder Media Center, Publishing and Open Access, Circulation and Reserves, and branch libraries. She has almost 30 years of library experience, having previously served as head of access services and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Thank you in advance for supporting her throughout this transition period. There will be a national search for a new permanent dean next spring.

It is never easy to say goodbye to a colleague and leader, but I am thrilled that Dean Cooper is departing for such a wonderful personal and professional next chapter. Please join me in wishing her the very best and celebrating her innumerable contributions to W&M. 

Sincerely, 

Peggy