Karen Diver: Championing Indigenous Excellence

Karen Diver is currently serving as the inaugural Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

In addition to previous roles in higher education, Karen was also an appointee of President Obama as the Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs. As part of the Domestic Policy Council from November 2015 until the end of the Administration. 

Karen served as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 2007 – 2015, and Executive Director of the YWCA of Duluth from 1992-2003.

Her current service includes the Great Lakes Fishery Commission as a US Commissioner, and member of the Climate Related Financial Risk Advisory Committee of the Financial Stability Oversight Council at the Department of Treasury.

She has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

In this compelling episode, we welcome Karen Diver. Karen speaks on her rich background in leadership and advocacy work. We discuss some of her goals and the work she’s already done at the University of Minnesota, such as implementing tuition and fee waivers, housing scholarships, and enhancing a nation-wide online library resource for students that highlights the work of Indigenous scholars. She shares her insight on leveraging the unique strengths of tribal nations within higher education.

The conversation dives into Karen’s transition into her groundbreaking role at the UofM, the challenges and triumphs of being the first person to hold this position, and the best practices she’s developed. Karen also reflects on her tenure in the Obama administration, what ignited her passion for her work, and what continues to drive her dedication to American Indian affairs and education. Tune in to hear Karen’s inspiring story and her vision for the future.

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