Bio
B.S. distributed studies 1989
Master of Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois-Chicago 1993
Ph.D. sociology 2010
Karen grew up in Eldora, Iowa, and currently lives in Johnston with her husband, Doug, and their West Highland White Terrier, Wellington. She is a former city planner and professor of community and regional planning at Iowa State University, holding a master’s degree in urban planning and a Ph.D. in sociology. She currently serves as the Director of Transition into Ministry Programs at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines.