Biography

Karen Klammer's career sits at the intersection of education and business. Holding masters degrees in both education and business administration is only one of the many ways that this connection is evident in her professional life. Currently an Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing at Orange Coast College, Karen Klammer's past work life includes a variety of administrative positions with the Coast Community College District. Beginning as the Resource Development Specialist for the District in 1978, Ms. Klammer was responsible for development of over 100 grant proposals per year. In 1983 she went to Golden West College where she served as Director of the GWC Foundation, Director of Public Relations, Director of Community Services, and Associate Dean of Staff Development over a five year period. Returning to the District in 1989, Ms. Klammer became the Director of BusinessLink, the contract education program of the District. In this role, she worked with over 100 local companies, designing custom training programs in basic skills, management, and technical skills. In 1995, she became director of a $2.6 million federal project to develop multimedia training programs for workplace literacy. Working with 15 partner companies in Tustin and Irvine, Ms. Klammer led the project through four years of development, culminating in the development of online training and education programs in English as a Second Language, Blueprint Reading, and Digital Media. Since 1998, Karen Klammer has held a faculty position in the Business Division of Orange Coast College. Her time is shared between teaching courses in management and marketing and serving as Faculty Coordinator of DesignWorks, where she assists other faculty in the development of online instruction. She also serves on the Curriculum Committee at the college and was part of the team that developed a new Leadership Studies Program for Orange Coast.