Karen Shea

Ms. Shea joined the office of inclusion and diversity in the summer of 2018. In her supporting role, she brings her strength of building communities of learning among different populations, as well as her commitment to advancing the campaign for a diverse, inclusive, and just educational environment.

Starting in the mid 1990’s, she coordinated and managed a succession of service learning programs, with a focus of college awareness, funded by the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA), Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP), and the Career Beginnings Partnership at Worcester State College.

From 2008-2018 she worked at Lesley University. Her work as assistant to the provost included organizing and supporting new initiatives involving multiple constituencies, such as the Urban Scholars Initiative. Prior to her stint in the provost’s office, she spent five years as the assistant director of the Ph.D. programs in educational studies, managing the doctoral program in the Graduate School of Education.

Karen Shea earned a bachelor of science in education and a master of science in intergenerational studies from Wheelock College. Her thesis addresses stages of relationship building and how environmental factors can impact this process. She has over 25 years of experience working in higher-education environments.