Dr. Karen Dowling: Collaborating in Faith
When Dr. Karen A. Dowling left Indiana Wesleyan University, it marked the end of a role she believed God had brought to her at the perfect time in her life and career. After beginning her professional journey as a teacher, she was seeking a change and found it in a leadership position at IWU National & Global. As director of transition to teaching in the School of Educational Leadership, she believes her previous teaching experience allowed her to lead authentically while also gaining insight into the operational and academic sides of leadership. When she departed IWU in 2015, she did so with a more refined skill set to carry her forward.
Dr. Dowling knew God was leading her to a new step in her career journey but was not sure what that would be. She asked a friend to paint a picture of a sailboat awaiting a fresh wind, or breath of the Holy Spirit, to guide her journey in whatever direction He wanted. After a time of praying for God to lead her and call her, she found an opportunity back “home” at IWU. She keeps this painting in her office as a reminder of God’s calling for this part of the career and life journey.
In 2020, Dr. Dowling returned to IWU. Once again, the role came at the perfect time in her life. In this new position, she was able to lead in an area directly connected to her calling and passion—multicultural learning and engagement. Combining her love for cultures and people with her experience in academic and operational leadership, she became the executive director of multicultural learning and engagement. Though she returned right before a global pandemic and amidst heightened racial tensions, she was eager to step into the work ahead.
Dr. Dowling loves to envision, collaborate, advocate, and bring ideas to life. After a few years back at National & Global, she transitioned to a whole-university role as a vice president, and most recently became executive vice president and chief people and culture officer. While the Office of People and Culture’s initiatives and vision have a university-wide impact, meaningful change takes time and consistency. One of her greatest challenges is tempering the desire to always do more. Thanks to the support of the President’s Cabinet team, Employee Success and Care team, the Intercultural and Global Office, and the Office of Multicultural Learning and Engagement, she collaborates with colleagues who bring unique skills and perspectives to the work.
Dr. Dowling firmly believes in IWU’s mission and values, striving to be an exemplar and a consistent, trusted witness for Jesus Christ. While she sometimes feels the tension between the beautiful complexity of IWU and her desire to connect with all people, areas, and stakeholders of the university, she remains hopeful that a steady, thoughtful approach will lead to sustainable action and Kingdom-impacting work.
Her work often requires her to establish and communicate the biblical foundations for the university’s initiatives, including the reasons behind them. Through this, she has learned to rely on God’s Word, prayer, and connections with trusted mentors, colleagues, and pastors. She has also grown in her practice of other spiritual disciplines.
“I continue to grow spiritually each day at IWU,” Dr. Dowling reflects. “I have had great opportunities to participate in the work of spiritual formation, The Wesleyan Church, chapel participation, and student connections leading to prayer and discipleship moments for all areas of the university.”
The IWU community encourages and challenges Dr. Dowling to share her faith openly beyond IWU—bringing attention to Christ’s redemptive and unifying gospel message. Recently, she has begun exploring additional learning through Wesley Seminary, to experience how ministry education informs her work.
Along with Dr. Mark Alexander, she is working to build a culture of hospitality and reinforce IWU’s mission and values.
“We’re preparing to bring more efficient and effective strategies and initiatives for onboarding and professionally developing our employees. We’re also collaborating in the work of hospitality which impacts the workplace as well as student-facing work with enrollment, retention, and outreach efforts,” Dr. Dowling says. “I’m honored to serve at IWU in a variety of capacities including connecting with our campus students and teaching students in National & Global. My role as chief People & Culture officer gives me plenty of opportunities to continuously develop, learn, and grow while serving others as they serve at IWU.”
Through these experiences, Dr. Dowling has the privilege of hearing and sharing stories from around the world—stories of hope and new opportunities through life’s challenges, all rooted in the pursuit of a Christ-centered education.
“IWU was the first place I was able to take on a leadership role and I feel blessed to continue Kingdom diversity work in my current role here,” she says. “I’ve been able to pioneer in leadership as I engage in inaugural roles, lead new initiatives, build inclusive teams, and am both empowered and supported to innovate with my skillset in new frontiers of learning and leading.”
Dr. Dowling feels deeply grateful for a fulfilling career as both a teacher and a leader. She firmly believes her most pivotal leadership moments have come from her time at IWU. For her, these moments represent the fruit of hard work, preparation, patience, and advocacy—advancing Christian higher education while making a difference in the lives of others through God’s transformational power, love, and grace.
