Breadcrumbs

Resume for Karen Warren Coleman 

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Doctor of Education. August 2015. Dr. Shaun R. Harper, Dissertation Advisor. Dissertation: Stories Seldom Told: Low-Income, First-Generation African- American Male Students at Highly Selective Research Universities.

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT. Burlington, Vermont. Master of Education, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration, May 1997. Thesis: Education As the Means to Freedom: A Critical Analysis of Oppression. Honors: Kenneth P. Saurman Award for Excellence in Leadership.

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS. Amherst, Massachusetts. Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Cum Laude, May 1993.

STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL. New York, New York.


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EUGENE MCDERMOTT HEAD OF SCHOOL, The Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas, July 2017—June 2022.

The Hockaday School (founded 1913) is an independent, college preparatory day and boarding school for girls with PK-12 enrollment of 1,115 students, 315 faculty/staff, $190 million endowment, 36 Trustees and 9 Life Trustees.

Accomplishments

  • Developed refreshed strategic plan, The Hockaday Difference, focused on educational innovation, inclusion, student experience, and financial sustainability.

  • Conducted comprehensive research project, Hockaday 360, to assess Hockaday’s market strengths and vulnerabilities and future strategic opportunities.

  • Key metrics: increased admission applications by 29% to a record high and reduced selectivity to the lowest on school record at 19%; consistently achieved record fundraising for annual fund.

  • Increased endowment totaling $190 million; decreased endowment draw and supported best practice of designating 35% of new capital project costs toward endowment for maintenance of new facilities.

  • For AY 21-22, moderated tuition increase at the lowest rate in 20 years and set faculty merit raises at a rate higher than the tuition increase for first time in school history.

  • Created new annual summary report of Senior Exit Survey qualitative/quantitative data and implemented annual Board discussion of findings to inform decision-making.

  • Grew enrollment of students of color from 33% to 46%; expanded diversity on the Board of Trustees from 11% to just under 40%.

  • Developed a Land Use Plan and ambitious effort to enhance Athletics and Wellness programs and facilities; secured $25 million lead gift and overall gifts totaling $36+mm, to date. Construction began summer 2020 and expected completion is fall 2023.

  • Launched the Institute for Social Impact; ISI has become a national model for hands-on learning and application of K-12 coursework to community impact.

  • Made decision to keep Residence Hall closed during academic year 2020-2021 based on internal assessment and guidance from Medical Advisory Group, with no enrollment loss and with no negative impact to bottom-line financial performance.

  • Developed and supported a Trustee-led process to reexamine Hockaday’s historic Boarding Program; the consultative and evidence-based process led to a unanimous Board vote (in spring 2021) to phase out the Boarding Program by May 2025.

  • Developed annual week-long experiential learning program for upper school students and faculty at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, one of the world’s leading scientific research facilities.

  • Established a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, CO for a week+ long experiential learning program for upper school students to collaborate with leading field researchers at a world-renowned field station for research and education in the sciences.

  • Launched new Upper School Writing Center to help students develop superior writing, critical thinking, and communication skills across academic disciplines.

  • Secured donor support and $2 million lead gift to complete and open the new Ann Graves Child Development Center, doubling capacity to care for children (infants and toddlers) of faculty and staff.

  • Designed, gained approval, raised funds for and executed the Welch Road Entrance Beautification Project, including new gathering spaces, Promenade, Welcome Center, parking, and storm drainage.

  • During COVID-19 pandemic, led transparent and accountable planning process allowing the School to teach in person while offering flexible distance learning options for students and faculty (including international students living abroad); Hockaday provided uninterrupted in-person, on-campus instruction since September 2020 while Dallas County COVID positivity rates were over 20% the majority of the time.

  • In the wake of civil rights protests in Summer 2020 and the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, led a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion working group; new initiatives include a year-long professional development program for faculty, staff, Trustees, parents, alumnae, and students focused on difficult conversations and civil dialogue.

  • Led a collaborative and evidence-based process to modify Hockaday’s 100+ year-old graduation attire requirement in order to be more inclusive while still honoring the School’s history and traditions.

  • Empaneled a Work Group on Gender-Related Policies and Practices to make recommendations to the Head; this work followed a 2021 graduation attire decision, a 2019 white paper, Transgender Students – Conversations at Hockaday (authored by Dr. Coleman), and a 2015 Trustee Joint Committee on Transgender and Non-Conforming Policy.

  • Strengthened resources for student mental health and wellbeing; invested in the Student Guidance Team and Counseling and enhanced overall School Counseling approach and infrastructure.

  • Worked with Board to establish annual Board Goals in order to support the School’s strategic priorities.

  • Annually exceeded Head of School goals as evaluated by the Board of Trustees.

  • Overhauled Hockaday’s compliance and risk mitigation infrastructure, including employment agreements and enrollment contracts; student/family, staff, and faculty handbooks; review of development/ advancement and governance; Board by-laws and conflict of interest process.

  • Restructured the Leadership Team to better support strategic priorities; recruited/hired key roles including Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs (reconfigured role), Head of Upper School, Head of Middle School, Director of Residential Life, Director of Athletics, Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, Director of Communications, and Chief Operations Officer (new position).
     

ADJUNCT FACULTY, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, Loyola University, Chicago, August 2016—June 2017.
ELPS 419: Leadership in Higher Education. Course description: This course is designed to provide foundational grounding in leadership theory and research. Specific attention is paid to the evolution of leadership theory, interdisciplinary conceptualizations of the topic, administrative applications of theory, pedagogy for teaching and learning about leadership, and the leadership development process of college students. Given that leadership is a contextually bound and socially constructed phenomenon, time is dedicated to understanding cultural dimensions and considerations as well as examining course content using a critical lens. Application of course content to students’ roles as professionals in higher education serves as an ongoing theme.

VICE PRESIDENT, CAMPUS LIFE AND STUDENT SERVICES, University of Chicago, July 2012—June 2016
Reporting to the President, the Vice President leads the division of Campus and Student Life, comprising 22 departments, 350 staff members, and an $80 million budget.

Major Projects

  • Campus North Residence Hall and Dining Commons: served as lead steward of $180 million, 800-bed residential and dining project, including program development, architect selection, and execution.

  • Academic Information System implementation: secured university approval for project and served as lead steward of $18 million system selection and implementation.

  • Revised student disciplinary processes for sexual misconduct and unlawful harassment and discrimination.

  • Transformed institutional approach to diversity and inclusion efforts for students, including modified organization, vision, and mission.

  • Completed first-ever institutional athletics and recreation master planning process and development of inaugural “Friends of Maroon Athletics” giving society.

  • Led effort to add women's lacrosse as an intercollegiate sport; varsity competition began in AY 18-19.

  • Developed residential faculty dean recruitment/selection process for existing and new residence halls.

  • Served as lead student affairs officer on U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Title IX investigation.

  • Served as strategic liaison for the Campus and Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees.

  • Decommissioned five residence halls (670 students).

  • Chaired university threat management team.

  • Co-chaired university international emergency management team.
     

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR CAMPUS LIFE AND ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY,
University of Chicago, July 2009—July 2012

Reporting to the Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students in the University, the AVP had responsibility for 150 staff members, five direct reports, and a $39 million budget. Direct reports included: Associate Dean of Students for Safety, Discipline, and Disabilities; Executive Director of UChicago Dining; Director of College Housing and Residential Services; Director of International House; and Human Resources Director.

Major Projects

  • Led university-wide dining initiative, including RFQ and RFP processes to select new vendors and create new UChicago Dining department.

  • Managed completion of Renee Granville-Grossman Commons (housed 790 students; $180 million project).

  • Led annual divisional capital proposal process.

  • Appointed as member of President’s Diversity Leadership Council.

  • Authored comprehensive student life master plan and successfully garnered funding to commission comprehensive divisional space planning review.

  • Developed scope, plan, and led initiative for expansion of undergraduate student housing.

  • Served as divisional lead on university re-visioning and branding process, including consideration of all university licensed merchandise and transition of the University Bookstore to Campus and Student Life.
     

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENTS, Campus Life and Leadership, University of California, Berkeley,
February 2007—July 2009

Supervised 10 staff in the following areas: Center for Student Conduct and Community Standards, Divisional Assessment, Business Operations (Human Resources & Budget), Student Legal Services, Technology and Marketing Communications.

Major Projects and Responsibilities

  • Developed policies and protocols and led revisions to university regulations regarding student conduct, suspensions, dismissals, discipline, and grievances.

  • Co-chaired Assessment Team and provided ongoing recommendations to improve measurement efficacy of student learning. Provided information about the university and interpreted and explained relevant policies, procedures, and regulations to students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and the general public.

  • Member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health.

  • Served as co-lead for university Behavioral Risk Assessment Team; collaborated with UC Berkeley Police Department and Threat Management Unit to manage egregious student cases and developed systems/protocols to address problematic student behavior.

  • Member of Student Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate.

  • Served on Campus Life & Leadership Diversity Workgroup.


STUDENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs,
University of California, Berkeley, November 1999—February 2007

Major Projects and Responsibilities

  • Served as Berkeley campus lead coordinator for ongoing UC system-wide Policy Review.

  • Independently managed and directed comprehensive review of Code of Student Conduct.

  • Served as lead strategist and advisor to Vice Chancellor on student affairs and student service issues (i.e., advising, policy, campus climate, and general student welfare).

  • Managed student grievances and student conduct appeals, supervised Complaint Resolution Officer team, and provided oversight for student grievance investigations.

  • Supervised University Student Ombudsperson to manage complex and highly sensitive student issues.

  • Member of Behavioral Risk Assessment Team responsible for responding to aberrant/threatening behavior.

  • Trained Student Advocate Office student staff and served as divisional contact.

  • Member of Chancellor’s Committee on Student Mental Health; planned and facilitated training on student mental health protocols and preparedness.

  • Served as co-lead on AlcoholEDU and SexualAssaultEDU contract and implementation.

  • Planned and facilitated annual New Student Convocation, annual All-Campus Memorial Service, annual Berkeley Advising Conference, and University of California System-Wide Retreats and Conferences.

  • Member of Greek Life Taskforce.

  • Staffed and managed the Student Fee Referendum Committee.
     

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS, The Princeton Review-Peninsula, Inc., March— October 1999

  • Wrote all grants for low-income, first-generation, college-bound high school students.

  • Coordinated high school and corporate courses: instructors, materials, quality, enrollment, course evaluations, statistical analysis, and student satisfaction.

  • Established and managed all outside relationships (i.e., high schools, pro bono, and corporate accounts).
     

DIRECTOR, STUDENT JUDICIAL SERVICES, George Washington University, July 1997—January 1999

  • Supervised and trained conduct staff, hearing boards, and peer mediators.

  • University spokesperson on student conduct, university policy, student’s rights and responsibilities, and sensitive student judicial information.

  • Authored annual executive summary citing data statistics/trends to identify key strengths and weaknesses.


ASSISTANT COMPLEX COORDINATOR, Residential Life, University of Vermont, June 1995—June 1997

• Live-in graduate student staff member with oversight of four buildings, supervision of RA staff; managed all program development, policy implementation, and operational functions of the residences.

AREA COORDINATOR, Dean’s Office, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, August 1993—July 1995

• Live-in professional staff member with responsibility for six residence halls (500 students); managed budget and supervised 13 resident assistants; primary respondent to student issues, crises.


TEACHING

Fall 2009—15
ELPS419: Leadership in Higher Education. Guest lecturer. School of Education, Loyola University, Chicago.

Spring 2010
ELPS425: Student Affairs Profession in Higher Education. Guest lecturer. School of Education, Loyola University, Chicago.

Fall 2009
ELPS 427: American Higher Education. Guest lecturer. School of Education, Loyola University, Chicago.


SELECT PRESENTATIONS

Summer 2021
A Strong Foundation: How Head, Counsel & Board Collaborate on Risk Management, National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (Karen Warren Coleman and Sara Goldsmith Schwartz, Founder and President, Schwartz Hannum PC).

Fall 2015
The University Leader and the Joy of Power. Invited panelist. Women in Student Affairs, NASPA Regional, Chicago, Illinois.

Summer 2015
The Student Experience—Critical Issues Facing Our Students. Presenter. The Harpeth Hall School. Nashville, Tennessee.

Fall 2013
Issues Confronting American Universities: Looking Back, Looking Forward.
Panelist. The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Academic Leadership Program, Michigan State University.

Spring 2012
Igniting Leadership and Influencing Change: The Role of an AVP. Presenter. NASPA, Phoenix, Arizona.

Fall 2011
Emergency Planning and Critical Incident Response. Panelist. D. Stafford & Associates, Columbia College, Chicago.

Spring 2011
AVP: The Role of the Number Two. Presenter. NASPA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Spring 2011
Town-Gown Legacies: Movement Towards Civic Engagement. Presenter. NASPA, Chicago, Illinois.

Spring 2010
Mid-level Strategies for Reinventing Our Work: Managing Up While Managing a Downturn. Presenter. NASPA, Chicago, Illinois.

Winter 2008
Assessment and Student Learning Outcomes. Presenter. San Francisco Art Institute.

Fall 2007
The Rules Are Different: Student Affairs on the Highly Selective University Campus. Presenter. Georgetown University.

Spring 2007
The Rules Are Different: Student Affairs on the Highly Selective University Campus. Presenter. ACPA/NASPA, Orlando, Florida.

Spring 2006
Listening to All of Our Students: The All-Campus Approach to Student Affairs Research. Presenter. NASPA, Washington, D.C.
 

PUBLICATIONS, BOOK REVIEWS, ENDORSEMENTS

Fall 2016
Invited book review. Smith, D. G. Diversity’s Promise for Higher Education: Making It Work. Journal of College Student Development. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Winter 2015
Invited book endorsement. Hecht, A. & Pina, J. B. (Eds.). (2015). AVP: Leading from the Unique Role of Associate/Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Washington, D.C.: NASPA.

Spring 2014
Executive Transitions in Student Affairs: A Guide to Getting Started as the Vice President. Ed. A. Carry, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, 2014.

Spring 2012
Key Competencies for Moving into Student Affairs Management. NASPA Leadership Exchange (10.1): Spring 2012.
 

AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Spring 2016
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, The Fund Raising School, Principles & Techniques of Fundraising, Chicago, Illinois.

Spring 2016
Title IX Certificate: The Four Corners of Title IX Regulatory Compliance. ACPA— College Students Educators International.

Winter 2015
American Council on Education’s 86th National Women’s Leadership Forum.

Summer 2015
Leader Shape Institute, Guest Leader.
Intensive and highly interactive leadership development institute for college students.

Spring 2013
ACPA Diamond Honoree.
Recognized for outstanding and sustained contributions to higher education and to student affairs.

Spring 2013
ACPA Convention Chair, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Led annual convention planning efforts. Record conference attendance and educational programs. Generated 32% revenue increase over previous year.

Spring 2009
ACPA Pre-Convention Program Chair, Metro D.C.
Guided program committee’s vision for pre-convention programs and for logistics. Managed the entire pre-convention slate of programs on-site. Communicated extensively with faculty, presenters, program reviewers, and the ACPA Office.

Spring 2007
ACPA/NASPA Joint meeting, Special Events Planning Team, Orlando, Florida. Fall 2006 NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program Application and Selection Process.


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/BOARDS

  • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)

  • American Council on Education (ACE)

  • Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS)

  • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)

  • National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

  • Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)

  • The Heads Network

  • University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, Exec Doc Alumni Advisory Board (2019-2021)