Executive Director of the Office of University Scholars and Fellows
Karen Weber directs the Office of University Scholars and Fellows, which comprises both merit scholarships and nationally competitive scholarships for Duke University. This Office also houses other scholarship programs, such as the Baldwin Scholars, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows, and Phi Beta Kappa. The Office’s programs support students during all stages of their collegiate career and offer opportunities to bolster students’ academic and professional pursuits. Prior to arriving at Duke, Karen worked in honors education for more than 15 years. Most recently she served as the Assistant Dean of Co-Curricular Programs at the University of Houston's Honors College. There she was responsible for developing, coordinating, and assessing experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom. She has administered a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and advised students in applying for nationally competitive scholarships for many years. While Karen's background is in theater—she earned both her bachelor's and master's degree in the field—she has built her career around enhancing student learning. Karen's doctorate is in Learning, Design, and Technology, and her research focuses on the benefits of experiential learning and electronic portfolios for students, faculty, staff, and employers.