From nurse to educator to dean — Karen Bowen leads with humanity

Dr. Karen Bowen didn’t set out to be a dean — or even a manager. She just wanted to help people.

But life isn’t static. After years in direct patient care, she began exploring other ways to make a difference. First through nursing leadership roles, then by stepping into education. Now, as Laramie County Community College’s Health Sciences and Wellness dean, she’s shaping the future of healthcare in southeast Wyoming — not by chasing titles, but by staying focused on people.

Karen’s path to this role started at the bedside. She spent years working in both rural and urban health systems before taking on faculty roles in practical[KB1] , associate and baccalaureate nursing programs. She holds a Ph.D. nursing education and brings more than two decades of health care experience to LCCC, where she previously served as Nursing Program director before being named dean in early 2025.

As dean, Karen oversees a wide range of programs — from nursing and dental hygiene to sonography, exercise science and more. She said the faculty and staff in these areas are exceptional, and that the programs are already on solid footing. But that doesn’t mean she’s standing still.

“We’re on a good path, and that’s because of the amazing team here,” she said. “But I also believe in continuing to push us all to be better. We’re all committed to that in HSW.”

That mindset comes through in how she talks about both students and instruction. Karen’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that skills matter, but so does the context students bring with them. A good health care provider knows how to apply knowledge under pressure, communicate clearly and treat people with compassion — all while managing the complexity of their own lives.

“People’s lives are complicated. I’ve been a working parent. I’ve been a student while working full-time. I’ve been in their shoes,” Karen said. “So when I teach, I don’t just teach nursing skills. I teach resilience, communication and compassion. That’s what builds great health care providers."

She said LCCC is uniquely positioned to help students navigate those challenges. Between small class sizes, direct access to instructors, targeted support services and strong partnerships with local employers, the college gives students a high return on their investment — both in terms of affordability and opportunity.

It’s also a place where national accreditations, licensure outcomes and clinical readiness are held to rigorous standards. Karen’s leadership emphasizes those metrics while also recognizing that success in health care takes more than checking boxes.

“It’s not just about passing a test or finishing a degree,” she said. “It’s about preparing students to step into a room where someone is scared, or hurting, or just really needs someone who knows what they’re doing.”

That perspective drives her approach to leadership. She believes in building trust, sharing responsibility and keeping the work focused on outcomes that matter — for students, for faculty and for the communities they’ll serve.

“I believe leadership is service,” she said. “It’s listening, it’s empowering people to do their best work and making sure we never lose sight of why we’re here — our students.”

Karen sees LCCC’s health sciences and wellness programs as more than a path to a job. They’re a way to give people access to something deeper — better health, build a better life for their families and finding a sense of control when life gets hard.

“When someone gets the care they need, it’s not just about getting through the moment,” she said. “It’s about their quality of life. It’s about being there for their kids, being able to work, being able to heal with dignity. That affects everyone around them.”

That understanding shapes the way she leads — with attention not only to the curriculum and credentials, but to the people learning it, and the people they’ll go on to care for. Her work at LCCC is built on the belief that education and humanity have to go hand in hand.