Rebecca Bichel has been an academic librarian since 1997 and is currently Dean of Libraries at The University of Texas at Arlington. She received her BS in Economics and BBA in Business Economics in 1991 from Valdosta State University and her MLIS in 1995 from the University of Hawaii. She joined UT Arlington in 2012 after roles at Florida State University, Pennsylvania State University and Sam Houston State University. Rebecca's areas of expertise are organizational change and innovation in libraries.

In 2014, under Rebecca’s leadership, UTA Libraries opened the UTA FabLab in the Libraries. In 2016, the makerspace was expanded to be the largest makerspace in a university library, with tools including 3D printers, electric kilns, virtual reality technology, and an industrial CNC router. The expanded lab opens in August 2016, with hours until 2am for all students and faculty at UTA and will also offer community access also. In addition to the 8000 sf makerspace, UTA Libraries has built a studio for the creation of digital video and audio and has plans for additional studio to enable design and creation. Rebecca is passionate about the role of libraries to provide access to creative tools and technology to people regardless of income or training.