Dr. Karen Edwards is the Director of Workforce & Economic Development and Title IX Coordinator at Laurus College. Dr. Edwards has over two decades of teaching experience in higher education, as well as experience in K-12 education, and lifelong learning. Since 2020, she has been recognized as a Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) Certified Higher Education Professional in Online Teaching and Campus Operations. In addition, she has a wide range of expertise related to curriculum development, evaluative procedures, credit for prior learning, Title IX, and community outreach. In recent years, Dr. Edwards has served as the Chief Ambassador to the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce; participated as a member of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee; and carried out a multi-year term as an appointed member of the City of San Luis Obispo’s Cultural Heritage Committee. Dr. Edwards currently represents Laurus College on the REACH Council, which supports regional economic development initiatives on California’s Central Coast. She also serves as a liaison to Laurus College’s Program Advisory Committees, which meet bi-annually to review program curricula and technology. Dr. Edwards holds a Ph.D. and M.A. with honors from Case Western Reserve University, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Dayton.