Directory

Karen Schauwecker

About

Karen received her master’s degree in Geography and Environmental Resources from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Specializing in Sustainable Agriculture, she managed the student organic garden as part of her graduate assistantship. She’s worked in various educational settings focused on food and agriculture, including k-8 teaching gardens in Alabama and as Assistant Manager of a university farm in Tennesse.

Before joining the team at Loyola, Karen served in the Office of Sustainability at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. As Program Coordinator, her work focused on campus outreach and education, student engagement and volunteerism, and leadership development. As Interim Director, she played a role in forming SIU’s first Climate Action Planning committee as part of the university’s signing of the Second Nature Climate Commitment. In addition, Sustainability was named as one of the five points of the campus wide strategic plan. She also led the campus in graduating to a silver rated Bicycle Friendly University.

As the Student Engagement Manager for the School of Environmental Sustainability, Karen provides services to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Some of her priorities include developing a strong SES alumni group, coordinating internship opportunities with local environmental organizations and expanding other career planning assistance for our students.

As a 2 term Americorps member, Karen is passionate about community engagement and service learning. Service experiences include voter registration efforts in Arizona, the Montana Conservation Corps, Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, Alternative Spring break, and serving on the Board of Directors for Food Works in Southern Illinois.

Degrees