About Professor Karen Card

Professor Karen Aldred Card retired from active service to The University of South Dakota on May 21, 2023, and has contributed invaluable service to the Division of Educational Leadership, the School of Education, and The University of South Dakota for thirty-two years.

She began her career at the University as the Director of the Coyote Student Center from 1991-1995, overseeing student activities, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and food service. Professor Card then became a full-time faculty member in the Division of Educational Leadership, where she taught higher education administration for 28 years.

Professor Card has been recognized as an innovative teacher who was an early adopter of online, Hybrid, and high-flex instruction methods to provide flexibility for her adult students. made many trips to Rapid City, Brookings, and Marshall, MN to deliver the Adult and Higher Education Ed.D. program to professionals at other state universities. Professor Card chaired over 200 Ed.D. students’ dissertations focused on improving higher education administration and mentoring students through their careers.

She has served as the Division Chair of Educational Leadership for six years and has served several strategic planning and institutional committees, sharing her higher education expertise earning the admiration of her colleagues and students alike.

The University of South Dakota, wishes to recognize and express appreciation and thanks to Professor Card for her thirty-two years of service to South Dakota’s system of public higher education. If you would like to send her a congratulations message, you can email Professor Card at Karen.Card@usd.edu

Division of Educational Leadership

The Division of Education Leadership at USD fosters a community of learners, scholars, educators and advocates who are focused on impacting the lives of children, adolescents and young adults. Small classes and highly accessible faculty and advisors engage students in cycles of thought and action based upon theoretical, ethical and professional knowledge. Real-world and student teaching experiences prepare students for graduate studies or immediate professional work as a principal, curriculum director, superintendent and more. In honor of Dr. Card's retirement, we are asking for donations to support the Division of Educational Leadership.

If you prefer to make a check or cash donation, it can either be dropped off or mailed directly to the University of South Dakota Foundation (add Division of Educational Leadership to the memo):

USD Foundation
1110 N Dakota St
Vermillion, SD 57069