Office of the Dean - Kendall College of Arts and Sciences
About

Office of the Dean

Karen Petersen

Dean
Karen Petersen was named dean of The University of Tulsa’s Kendall College of Arts and Sciences in 2021. She previously served as dean of liberal arts and professor of political science at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Petersen received her doctorate in political science from Vanderbilt University in 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations from MTSU and her master’s degree in political science from Vanderbilt.

Petersen’s publications include journal articles on the causes of interstate conflict, terrorism, the federal courts, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and pedagogical issues related to online learning as well as high-impact practices. She teaches courses in international relations and comparative politics with an area specialization in international conflict. Petersen co-developed an education abroad course on Israeli politics, which she led from 2013-2019.

As an administrator, Petersen championed the liberal arts at MTSU. Her team implemented a comprehensive plan to articulate a strong value statement for the liberal arts and celebrate the diversity of disciplines and perspectives that makes the liberal arts indispensable in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. She believes education, particularly higher education, has the power to change lives and transform communities.

If you would like to support Dean Petersen’s vision for the College of Arts and Sciences, please consider joining the Dean’s Circle.

Karen Petersen
Dean, Kendall College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Political Science
Office of the Dean
Chapman Hall, Room 111
918-631-3795
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Kirsten Olds
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Community Engagement
Chapman Hall, Room 110
918-631-3714
kirsten-olds@utulsa.edu

Lara Foley
Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Affairs
Chapman Hall, Room 113
918-631-2050
lara-foley@utulsa.edu

Stephanie Boulden
Manager of Special Projects and Technical Needs
Chapman Hall, Room 111
918-631-3795
stephanie-boulden@utulsa.edu

Steven Buchele
Special Projects and Technical Needs Associate
Chapman Hall, Room 109
918-631-3012
steven-buchele@utulsa.edu

Lindsey Boulden
Communications and Events Coordinator
Chapman Hall, Room 115
918-631-2208
lab428@utulsa.edu

  • Points of Pride
    • 96% placement rates in jobs or graduate school
    • Since 1991, there have been 365 Presidential Scholars.
    • In the past five years, 288 Arts & Science students traveled abroad to more than 42 countries.
    • Since 1980, 39 Arts & Sciences professors received the TU Outstanding Teacher Award.
    • 20 Arts & Science students received research grant awards (2016-2017)
    • Students have won competitive awards such as: Harry S. Truman Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Fullbright Scholarship and The Vance and Betty Lee Stickell Student Internship
    • Kendall College is home to six award winning journals: James Joyce Quarterly, Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature, Russian Studies in History, Nimrod: International Journal of Prose and Poetry, Journal of Modern Periodical Studies and the student journal Stylus.
    • Kendall College alumni include: author Rilla Askew, Emmy-winning student director Chase Chambers, Chief of Operations at the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center Monte Hawkins, author S.E. Hinton, actor Wesam Keesh, actor and producer Julius Tennon, actor Wade Williams
    • Students go on to pursue graduate studies at leading universities: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Oxford and Chicago to name a few.
  • Board of Visitors
    • Caroline Abbott
    • Ellen Adelson
    • Mitch Adwon
    • Joanie Atkinson
    • Leta Bell
    • Barbara Blackburn
    • Don Blackburn
    • John Bovaird
    • Beth Bovaird
    • Laurie Brumbaugh
    • Bill Derrevere
    • Harriet Derrevere
    • Linda Feagin
    • John Finley
    • Linda Frazier
    • Marc Frazier
    • Greg Frizzell
    • Michael Graves
    • Monte Hawkins
    • Kim Johnson
    • Jenk Jones
    • Jake Jorishie
    • Cheryl LaFortune
    • Mary Lhevine
    • Judy McCormack
    • Paula Milsten
    • Bob Mogelnicki
    • Mahvash Moghaddam
    • Valerie Naifeh
    • TimPhoenix
    • George Schnetzer
    • Greg Spears
    • Julius Tennon
    • Bruce Tibbets
    • Frances Tibbets
    • Steve Turnbo
    • Bill Watson
    • Julie Watson
    • Melissa Weiss
    • Martin Wing
  • Contact

    Office of the Dean
    Chapman Hall, Room 111
    918-631-3795
    Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Stephanie Boulden
    Manager of Special Projects and Technical Needs
    Chapman Hall, Room 111
    918-631-3795
    stephanie-boulden@utulsa.edu