Michael Cockrell

Michael Cockrell has extensive work experience in the library field, primarily at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Michael has served as the Adult Services Department Head since 2007, where they are responsible for managing operations, long term planning, and evaluation for various departments within the library. Prior to this, they were the Head of Loan & Outreach Services, where they oversaw the day to day operations and long term planning of the department. Additionally, they served as the Alma Powell Branch Manager, managing the operations of the branch library and selecting materials for the collections. Throughout their career, Michael has demonstrated strong leadership skills in managing staff, developing loan policies, and planning and presenting programming for library patrons.

Michael Cockrell has a Certificate of participation in Library Leadership from the ALA Leadership Institute: Leading to the Future, which they obtained in 2015 and is still ongoing. In 2011, they attended the ONEplace Nonprofit Leadership Academy for a year, focusing on nonprofit management. Additionally, in the same year, they participated in the Public Library Association Results Boot camp. Michael's educational history also includes a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree in library science, which they earned from Wayne State University between 1996 and 1998.