Karen Carter, J.D.
Karen Carter, a longtime DeKalb County resident, is an experienced attorney, educator and community servant with a passion for improving education. She has the proven ability to accomplish important and necessary educational goals.
She is currently a member of the DeKalb County, Georgia school board who has served DeKalb County constituents living in districts within super district 8. Karen was appointed by Georgia governor Nathan Deal in March 2013 to this position.
Karen brings to the board a wealth of practical and relevant education and business experience. She is currently chair of the business and social sciences department at Georgia Perimeter College’s Clarkston campus. Prior to this appointment she was the department chair of the paralegal studies program at Atlanta Technical College. Her higher education career spans more than 20 years.
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She earned her Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree in communications from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Ohio.
Other previous positions and achievements include:
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- Special assistant to the president for Institutional Advancement, Central State University (CSU) and Director of the CSU Foundation. Karen provided leadership for the foundation coordinating activities for the offices of Alumni Relations, Development and Public Relations.
- Chief of Staff for the Office of the President, CSU. Karen managed the president’s office to ensure effective implementation of the president’s directives and initiatives.
Development Officer, The Ohio State University. Karen supported the College of Human Ecology. She coordinated a multi-million dollar campaign that ensured the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising program.
Senior Staff Counsel, Department of Administrative Services, state of Ohio. Karen supported two divisions (Computer Services & State Procurement) overseeing contracts for vital goods and services, conducting legal research and providing statutory interpretation of laws and providing other legal counsel.
Corporate Secretary, Woodrow Wilson Administrative Fellow, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee. Karen provided direct assistance to the Board of Trustee’s chair and worked as a special assistant to the college president.
Karen’s involvement in community service is extensive and long-term. She is an alumna of the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2010, Delta Sigma Theta, a national service sorority and a member of the Georgia and Ohio State Bars.
Before relocating to Atlanta she was a member of Leadership Columbus, Ohio; Young Leaders Program, Nashville, Tennessee; Board of Directors, Junior League of Columbus, Ohio; Board of Directors Opera Columbus and Board of Directors, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio.
Karen is also very active in her church, Briarcliff United Methodist located in DeKalb County. She currently serves as a lay leader and chair of the Administrative Council and sits on the Finance and Human Resources committees. She also continues to support the missions of St. Paul AME Church located in Columbus, Ohio.
