It’s not often you hear someone say they “bleed blue and white,” but Karen Keller proudly makes the statement when reflecting on her time at Penn State, her experience on the Alumni Association’s Alumni Committee, and as a current Penn State parent.

As a biochemistry and molecular biology major at Penn State, Keller envisioned her life to be filled with test tubes and pipettes while working in a lab. However, her experience through the Eberly College of Science’s cooperative education program opened her eyes to the legal side of research.

“I met a patent lawyer, and more than research, I loved reading and writing. Plus, being in the courtroom as a trial lawyer, it seemed the best way to stay involved in cutting-edge technology, and at the same time, pair it with reading and writing and advocacy,” Keller said.

After graduating from Temple Law and working at a patent firm for some time, Keller was approached by a fellow associate and Penn State alum to open their own patent firm. In 2011, Keller started the firm with her partner and eventually became managing partner, as well as becoming majority owner of the firm.

While being a lawyer has given Keller a different insight into how she would better Penn State, it’s her business experience that’s shown her the importance of having a holistic education that encompasses skills that all students will use, such as financial literacy or business culture classes.

”There needs to be more cross collaboration between the colleges and various advisors for students to put more effort into working with a student holistically rather than just within your major,” Keller said. “In the business world, I interact with all kinds of people in business, scientists, and sales. You need to talk to anyone, so we should make it a part of the general education curriculum.” 

Aside from being a lawyer in Delaware, Keller also works as a special master for the district court in Delaware to resolve disputes. Since the role requires being impartial and neutral, she’s learned the vital skill of being able to just sit and listen to those around her.

Not only does Keller see the value in listening to those around her, but she also sees it as a vital part of compromise, leadership, and reaching conclusions. Since much of what the Board of Trustees discusses can reach contentious moments, Keller highlighted how important it is to be able to advocate for what she feels is right and remain civil and a friend after the meeting is over, which she’s learned in her time as a lawyer.

Now a mother of a Penn State freshman, Keller also sees the importance in listening to the students who are coming to the board with issues or concerns they have.

“Student trustees need to be actually listened to and heard,” Keller said. “Leadership means action, and what needs to happen is follow-up meeting with the students who are coming in to talk to the board.”

While Keller has many ideas and is striving to advocate for those around her, she also comes into the position with an open mind and willingness to change her mind if given data and facts, as she sees the importance in increasing communication within Penn State.

“We need to do a better job at cross-collaboration between colleges,” said Keller.

Throughout her time serving on the Alumni Association’s Alumni Council, Keller saw first hand the lack of communication between colleges when it came to funding and the lack of unity when making decisions.

“We have so many smart people here, and businesses don’t function in a silo,” she said. “We can innovate more if we become more like what the world is like, where there’s the opportunity for smart people across the colleges to talk and bring the diversity of thought to the table.”

Keller also notices how the lack of communication and collaboration are not helping students reach their fullest potential. By having a more well-rounded education, the alumna sees how this can help students become better candidates for jobs after college.

“There needs to be more collaboration and various advisors for students to put more effort into working with a student holistically rather than just within their major,” she said.

In a way, Keller wants to allow students to maximize their education to become their most successful selves when leaving Penn State. While there are plenty of things she wants to achieve to improve student’s academic success, it’s also a part of her plan to improve the mental health of students.

“The mental health aspect has changed in part because of social media, but also the hyperspecialization-focused idea of what you should do,” Keller said. “I want to find a way to allow more flexibility to explore more than what you would want to do. Something that is serious and kids might have a passion for.”

While there are resources like CAPS available on campus, Keller recognizes that the student resource is severely overcrowded and still heavily stigmatized, something she hopes to change.

“I love Penn State, and I treat every Penn Stater like family because I want to give back to this place that has given me so much,” Keller said.

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Editor’s note: Keller’s interview is one of a multi-part series aiming to feature alumni running for open seats on the Board of Trustees. Onward State does not, and will not, endorse any candidate(s) in this election. Check out our site to read more about the remaining candidates vying for spots on the board throughout this year’s election cycle.