Librarians Honored with Heart and Soul Awards
The Faculty Senate also recognized librarian Joy Panigabutra-Roberts as a “Rocky Top Original.” Read that story here.
At the meeting of the University of Tennessee Faculty Senate on November 17, the Senate honored two UT Libraries faculty members, Lizzie Cope and Maggie Albro, with the Heart and Soul Award. This award recognizes faculty whose work embodies inclusion, respect, compassion, and community at the University of Tennessee. Here’s what the Faculty Senate had to say about these two outstanding UT Libraries faculty members:
Maggie Albro: Championing Well-Being, Belonging, and Support
Maggie Albro has built a reputation as a relentless advocate for a workplace where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered. As an assistant professor and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Librarian in the UT Libraries, “she strives to create an inclusive, respectful, and empowering environment with her direct reports, library colleagues, and the larger campus environment.”
Beyond her liaison and instructional duties, Albro’s research centers on workplace culture, incivility, burnout, and the well-being of academic library professionals. Her work probes how interpersonal relationships, social norms, and organizational structures influence the lived experience of employees in academic libraries.
Colleagues describe her as someone who listens deeply, stands up for others, and advocates consistently for fairness and belonging. Whether mentoring students through the UT Promise Mentoring Program, or guiding library staff toward healthier workplace dynamics, she brings empathy, clarity, and purpose to her role. Through her combined scholarship and service, Albro has become a clear champion for the institutional culture and climate of the university.
Lizzie Cope: Fostering Growth and Belonging in the Libraries
In her capacity as an assistant professor and Assessment Projects Librarian in the UT Libraries, Lizzie Cope has made significant strides in creating an environment of learning and growth among her colleagues.
Working alongside library HR staff last summer, she spearheaded an initiative called “Library Learning Days,” a multi-week series of training workshops aimed at preparing library staff for the fall semester. Sessions ranged from new library resources, collection acquisition processes, hosting engagement events in the library, to navigating travel expense workflows in DASH. With many new colleagues joining the UT Libraries and technology systems evolving rapidly, the workshops offered timely professional development and community building. Participants consistently reported strong attendance and meaningful take-aways, helping them feel ready for the semester ahead.
Cope’s leadership in this initiative reflects her commitment to inclusive growth, accessibility of information, and fostering a strong sense of community among staff. Her efforts not only support individual growth but strengthen the culture and operational readiness of the UT Libraries as a whole.
The Heart and Soul Award honors faculty who intentionally cultivate belonging, empowerment, and community across campus. Through her work with the Libraries, Lizzie Cope displays both operational leadership and inclusive vision. Maggie Albro’s research and advocacy underscore the essential human values of respect, support, and wellbeing in academic environments. Together, they exemplify the spirit of the award and the values of the University of Tennessee. Nominate an inspiring colleague from your department for a Heart and Soul Award today.