As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Karen manages the faculty search process with the natural sciences and engineering departments and oversees the recruitment and appointment process for assistant professors and lecturers in these departments. In addition, she administers the appointment and reappointment of program chairs and directors in the natural sciences and engineering. 

Karen is also responsible for processes related to professional researchers, specialists, and librarians (including appointments, reappointments, and leaves) in the natural sciences and engineering. She serves as secretary to the Committee on Appointments and Advancements for the Professional Researchers and Professional Specialists (C/7).

Karen is the liaison to the University Library for the Office of the Dean of the Faculty. As secretary to the University Library’s Promotion, Continuing Appointment and Review Committee (PCARC), she oversees the appointment and promotion process for librarians.

Karen also discusses dual career issues and retirement with members of the faculty in the natural sciences and engineering.

Before joining the Dean’s office, Karen worked in the Provost’s office for nine years, most recently as the Assistant Provost for Academic Management. She had previously been the department manager in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Karen received her B.A. at the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in Sociology at Northwestern University.

Areas of Responsibility

• Academic Reviews of Departments
• Appointments - Librarians and Professional Specialists
• Appointments - Research Scholar ranks (including Senior Research Scholar, Research Scholar, Associate Research Scholar)
• C/7 (Committee on Appointments and Advancements for Professional Researchers and Specialists)
• Complaints - Academic Professionals
• Leaves
• PCARC (Library Promotion, Continuing Appointment, and Review Committee)
• Retirements
• Salary Annual Review - Researchers, Specialists, Librarians
• Searches - Librarians