Lisa Nickel is the Interim Dean of University Libraries at William & Mary, where she provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for library operations and access services, Research & Instruction, the Reeder Media Center, the William & Mary Press—the libraries' open access publishing initiative—and branch libraries and partnerships.
With over 20 years of experience in academic libraries, Lisa is a collaborative leader who has guided cross-campus initiatives, overseen major renovation projects, and expanded the library's presence in academic and student life. Her leadership philosophy centers on empowering teams, fostering inclusive practices, and advancing public access to knowledge. She believes in the democratic and transformative power of libraries, and is committed to building inclusive service-oriented environments that reflect core values of collaboration and partnership, academic excellence, and intellectual freedom.
In 2025, Lisa was selected as an Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Leadership Fellow, a 13-month program designed to prepare the next generation of senior and executive leaders in research libraries and archives. She is active in the American Library Association (ALA), Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), and Core, and has published on leadership, assessment, information literacy, and distance education.
At William & Mary, Lisa works closely with library partners, members of the research community, and education leaders across campus to advance the library's role in research, teaching, publishing, and student success. She is passionate about furthering open access, open education, and open data initiatives. Lisa also serves as a campus Title IX advisor and as a mentor for first-generation limited-income (FGLI) students.
Prior to joining William & Mary, Lisa held leadership roles at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and began her career as an instruction librarian at the University of South Florida. She holds an MLIS from the University of South Florida and a BA in history from Rutgers University.
Outside of work, Lisa is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist who volunteers on citizen science projects. An avid birder and member of the Williamsburg Bird Club and Virginia Society of Ornithology, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading.