Karen Rose joined the English Department at LBCC in August 2002. She teaches composition, argumentative writing, introduction to literature, and American literature. She has served as the faculty advisor for student clubs & honor societies (Ladies of Athena, Phi Theta Kappa, English Majors & Minors), technology committee chair, and Academic Senator.

Originally from Chicago, Karen was the first person in her family to graduate from high school and college. She attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa for two years and then moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA where she earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English. She focused on American literature and wrote her dissertation on postmodern coming-of-age novels by women writing in the United States.

Karen lives in San Pedro with her two daughters. Her hobbies are swimming, running, dancing, stand-up paddleboarding, attending concerts, listening to music & podcasts, relaxing by the ocean, and, of course, reading.