Karen Marais

Karen Marais, an associate professor in AAE, was one of five Purdue faculty members selected for the 2019-2020 cohort of the Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program.

The program is designed to help faculty interested in taking on administrative roles by exploring academic leadership opportunities and developing leadership skills through small-group discussions with Purdue’s senior academic leaders. Participants meet with a broad spectrum of Purdue’s administrators to learn about opportunities and challenges associated with academic administration.

The program is part of a collaboration with Big Ten universities, and the cohort attends seminars at peer universities three times during the academic year.

Marais applied with the support from AAE and the College of Engineering.

Marais has served as the associate head for undergraduate education in AAE since January 2018. In that role, her overarching focus has been in curricular innovation. The role “confirmed my passion and potential for administration,” she says.

“Almost every day gives me an opportunity to make at least one positive impact on our students’ and my colleagues’ lives,” she says.

Marais also is the chair of the College of Engineering Curriculum Committee and the chair of the College of Engineering Faculty Affairs Committee. Through those experiences, Marais says she has learned much about how departments and colleges function.

“I find the workings of the university fascinating,” she says. “The Big Ten Academic Leadership Program will provide me with an opportunity to expand my learning beyond the department and college level.”