Faculty & Staff
Dr. Karen Beyard
Professor
Director of Ed.D. Program
Phone: 860.832.2234
Fax: 860.832.2109
Email: beyard@ccsu.edu
Office: HB 320.0000
Biographical Sketch
From 1986 when she was appointed dean of graduate studies and professor of educational leadership, Dr. Karen Beyard has served Central Connecticut State University in a number of leadership capacities including Vice President for Academic Affairs (1991-1996) and Director of Academic Outreach (1996-1998). In 1998, she joined the Department of Educational Leadership on a full-time basis, teaching courses in leadership and administration, school law, the external environment of school leadership, and spirituality and leadership. Since 2003, she has served as director of the doctoral program in which she teaches inquiry seminars and core courses in educational technology, and directs doctoral dissertations. Prior to working at CCSU, she was chair of the Department of Educational Technology at Arizona State University where she oversaw two doctoral programs, three master’s programs, and a certification program for school media specialists.
Dr. Beyard holds the AB (with honors) from Wellesley College where she majored in History; an MLS in school library science from the University of Denver; and the Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Arizona State University. In the early years of her academic career, Karen’s research focused on several areas of gender studies including women’s career development, mentoring, and attitudes toward non-traditional careers for women. She also served as co-director for several grant projects, including an NSF grant focused on the preparation of school librarians to support science education consistent with NSTA standards. More recently, she has focused on applied scholarship and professional activities related to program and institutional accreditation, professional development, and school improvement.