Library welcomes new development director

Swem Library welcomed Kimberly Separ ‘91 as its new director of development on January 5.

Separ has 17 years of professional experience in development and advancement. She comes to W&M from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she served as director of development and community relations for VCU Libraries since 2001.

Returning to William & Mary is a homecoming for Separ, who graduated from the College in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and art history. She went on to earn a master’s degree in art and architectural history at VCU.

“I am pleased to be back home at William & Mary and to join the Swem team. I look forward to meeting our alumni and donors and sharing our memories of Swem,” said Separ.

A native of Roanoke, VA, Separ began her fundraising career in non-profit work following graduate school. As director of development for the VSA Arts Virginia, an international organization providing art and educational programming for youth and adults with disabilities, Separ was responsible for managing the annual fund and coordinating board leadership and gallery volunteers.

At VCU, she worked with major and annual gift prospects, the Friends of the VCU Libraries giving society, volunteers and alumni, and managed two library advisory boards. Additionally, she built a cultural program series that engaged over 6,000 students, faculty, alumni and Central Virginia residents each year. Over 13 years, she grew the VCU Libraries donor base from 17 individuals to more than 500.

As development director, Separ will lead all advancement activity for the benefit of the library which includes building a culture of engagement and philanthropy, executing a vision for the library’s advancement operations, managing the Swem Library Board, and leading the library’s external relations team.

“This is an exciting time for the libraries at William & Mary, and especially Swem Library as we approach our 50th anniversary. We are looking forward to the opening of our newly renovated media center – a project that will breathe new life and energy into our facility, and one that relies heavily on private gifts,” said Carrie Cooper, dean of university libraries at William & Mary. “Kimberly comes to us at a critical time when we are examining ways to support the new curriculum and the ever-changing needs of students and faculty. Gifts from our supporters allow us to meet these needs and plan for the future.”

Separ enjoys reading, knitting and watching baseball in her spare time and is a fan of the Washington Nationals and the Richmond Flying Squirrels. She and her husband, Michael ‘93, live in Richmond, VA.

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