My experience with Karen as a mentor has been such a blessing! She supports me and helps me set attainable goals with frequent check-ins to ensure I'm on the right track to accomplishing them. Karen's kindness, patience, dedication, willingness to share her own experiences and wisdom, helped me become the best version of myself personally and professionally. If you are someone looking for a mentor to listen, push you, encourage you, challenge you, and provide constructive feedback look no further. I would recommend Karen's mentor program/services to anyone new to higher education/ODI and seasoned professionals. Be prepared for elevation because you'll only rise up with Karen as a mentor!

I would not have made the decisions I have made about my higher education career without the support and mentorship from Karen Kassebaum. Karen was one of the first higher education Black women mentors in my life who encouraged me to continue to challenge systemic issues in the education system but also remember to take care of myself. She opened my eyes to the type of experiences that Black women in leadership face, even talking through the ones she was experiencing herself. I can honestly say I don't know where I would be without her!

“Mrs. Karen was an incredible mentor during my time at UNL. There wasn’t a day where her doors were closed or that she was unavailable to be a listening ear. I can’t begin to say enough about her leadership skills, the amount of resiliency and empathy she displayed and the ways in which she helped me blossom into the woman I am today (career wise and personally). Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such an amazing human being.”

Dr. Kassebaum has been one of the most impactful mentors in my life because she has a unique ability to deliver direct, insightful feedback, informed by her incredible depth of professional and lived experience, in a way that clearly conveys her compassion and investment in my success. I made it through some of the toughest parts of my life and found my unique path to success, in large part, because she was there to guide me and support me at some of the most formative parts of my life.

“I can’t stress how much I owe to Dr. Karen Kassebaum. I would not be where I am today without her support, guidance, and intuitiveness. Dr. K pushed me to be a better professional, student, and father. Today I am proud to call her mentor, colleague, and most importantly, friend”.

 I had the privilege of working with Karen for two years while working on my Masters Degree. Karen was the first supervisor/mentor I ever had that truly saw me as I am and actually cared about making sure I left my Graduate Assistantship better than I came. She was able to see the areas I needed a little pushing in and knew how to make you feel safe while also stretching you in those directions. Forever my favorite mentor!

The timely mentoring and relevant coaching that I’ve been fortunate to receive from Karen has profoundly impacted me personally and professionally.  I am grateful to have had the opportunity to interact with her. She is a wonderful resource and has deepened my ability to think strategically concerning my career and empowered me with specific tools and quality frameworks I am benefitting from to this day.

Dr. Karen Kassebaum is an outstanding  professional that shows passion through challenge and motivation helping you to  meet your goals.  She has personally assisted me in overcoming professional and personal barriers to move my career forward.  Dr. Kassebaum's presentations are energetic, thought provoking, and can be adapted to a variety of audiences, such as students to professionals!  She is great in her work passion!

Through Karen’s mentoring, I have learned the complexities and ever-evolving nature of diversity, equity and inclusion. With her expert guidance, I learn so much each time we talk!”

Karen is a great listener and even better problem solver. I always felt confident in seeking advice from Karen because she alway assisted me with navigating all options while encouraging me to be confident in the decisions I made. I can always count on Karen for the best advice!