Karen Lombardi joined Rockhurst University as the Bloch Scholars Program Coordinator in December 2024. She has lived all over the country – Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, Nevada, Kansas, Maryland and Missouri) – but is finally happily settled in KCMO. Karen earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics and education from Juniata College, her master's in urban education from Nova Southeastern University, and her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Kansas. She has taught students of all ages (from second grade through college and adult learners) in both public and private settings, and her heart lies in working for equity in education, especially through accompaniment and advocacy. 

Karen has journeyed alongside Bloch Scholars since 2021 when she first began working as an academic advisor, and she especially loves the access and support that the Bloch Scholars Program provides her students. She is excited to now serve those students at Rockhurst, a campus that reminds her of the small, liberal arts college she attended. Outside of work, Karen enjoys frequenting musical theatre, traveling (especially to visit her two nieces and nephew in Maryland), serving in faith formation and mentorship roles, and spending time with friends no matter the activity. While she has found amazing New York bagels in Kansas City (Meshuggah Bagels), she is still searching for authentic New York-style pizza in the area. 

Clifton “Top 5” Strengths: (1) Relator, (2) Developer, (3) Maximizer, (4) Analytical, and (5) Connectedness  

• Book an appointment