Biography

Karen is a Lecturer II in the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department, where she teaches Introduction to Chicana/o Studies, Survey of Chicana/o Literature, and Education of Chicana/o Children. She serves as faculty lead for the department’s concurrent enrollment initiatives and co-leads the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship Promise in partnership with Student Affairs. Karen is also actively engaged in various affinity groups on campus, which include the Latinx Graduation Committee, Native Nations Council, Native/Indigenous Faculty and Staff Council, 800 Kalamath Mural: A Tribute to the Westside project, Faculty Women of Color Coalition, Latinx Alumni Network, and Student Success Launch Team: Improving First Year Retention. Karen recently completed her doctoral degree in Leadership for Educational Equity in Higher Education at the University of Colorado at Denver. She serves her community as a mayor-appointed commissioner and secretary for the Denver Latino Commission, Advisory Board member with Denver's Human Rights and Community Partnership, and Far Southwest Denver Community Development project. Karen is a wedding officiant, a wife, mother, Nanalita, Auntie, and friend to her family and loved ones.