Karen Kashmanian Oates joins Academic Leadership Group

Karen Kashmanian Oates, PhD has joined Academic Leadership Group (ALG), a Boston-based organizational and leadership consultancy focusing on the higher education sector.

Oates, who joins ALG’s higher education consulting practice, has more than 35 years of experience in academia and post-secondary administration. She most recently spent seven years as the inaugural dean of arts and sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and four years as inaugural provost and EVP of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Before that, Oates held department chair, associate dean, and program director roles at George Mason University, where she led the development of a new college, the College of Integrative Studies.

She was also previously deputy director of undergraduate education at the National Science Foundation.

Oates has a PhD in biochemistry from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and biology from Rochester Institute of Technology.

“Karen’s direct experience in leading university-wide initiatives at both the dean and provost level is a tremendous resource for our clients,” said Jennifer Stine, co-founder of ALG and leader of the higher education consulting practice. “Her depth of experience across multiple roles, including serving as deputy division director at NSF, coupled with her ability to drive innovation from within the university, will be a real asset for academic leaders looking for knowledge and inspiration to advance their missions.”

ALG’s consulting practice provides higher education clients with services in organizational assessments, organizational culture surveys, executive and professional education strategy, change leadership strategy, and workshops and offsites. The firm’s leadership coaching practice provides support in 1:1 coaching, group coaching and leadership development programs, and “jump-start” coaching for newly appointed faculty leaders.

ALG has eight employees, according to its website.

“I am delighted to join the Academic Leadership Group and I look forward to expanding my consulting activities, particularly designing and leading workshops and lectures in areas that include leading change, faculty development, academic careers, and building collaborative cultures,” Oates said.