It's Not Goodbye

Karen Cottrell ’66, M.Ed. ’69, Ed.D. ’84 has retired as executive vice president of the William & Mary Alumni Association and has assumed a new, part-time role providing programming and assistance to alumni families with children going through the admission process.

“During Karen’s term, the bonds between our alumni and the university have been strengthened like never before,” said President Taylor Reveley. “With the assistance of a superior staff that she has recruited and led, Karen has built a strong foundation of alumni support that will be crucial to the university’s continued progress.”

Cottrell, whose tenure at the Alumni Association began in 2005, is no stranger to the admission process. She served as dean of admission from 1980 to 1985 and vice provost for enrollment from 1997 to 2005. Cottrell also spent 12 years at the University of Virginia as associate dean of admission.

“In my nearly decade-long tenure at the Alumni Association, I’ve seen the University move from good to great in appreciating the importance of alumni engagement and how it values the voice of alumni,” Cottrell said. “I leave this position confident in the direction that has been set for the association — a vital asset for the William & Mary community.”