Karen R. Berg has over 15 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit work. She has held roles as a graduate assistant and intern providing student advising, career counseling, and managing service learning programs. Her background also includes directing AmeriCorps programs, teaching English abroad, and policy work focused on education, public health, and civic engagement issues. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago.

1. Karen R. Berg
Chicago, Illinois Ÿ kberg4@luc.edu
HIGHER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
Student Hub Advisor, Graduate Assistant October 2013-Present
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
• Counsel students and families on financial aid, student account, and registration and records matters
including federal work-study, federal and private loans, scholarships, grants, installment plans,
transcripts and enrollment verification.
• Hire, train and supervise 12 student employees responsible for staffing the Welcome Desk and projects.
• Develop and manage partnerships with various departments (e.g. Financial Aid, Bursar, Registration
and Records, Academic Advising) to streamline and strengthen the delivery of student services.
• Engage in academic services initiatives and committees to increase student retention.
Career Planning & Placement Center, Graduate Intern December 2014-Present
Harold Washington College Chicago, IL
• Teach the Employment Success Skills Program (ESSP), a 14-session course providing students
essential knowledge and skills preparing them for job search, internships and new career positions.
• Assess student performance based on ESSP course assignments and youtopia.com badging activities to
validate soft skills.
• Provide one-on-one career advising such as resume development, cover letter writing and interview
skills with a diverse student body and alumni.
Center for Experiential Learning, Service-Learning Graduate Intern August-December 2014
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
• Managed the Health and Wellness Initiative engaging 30 undergraduate students in a service-learning
program involving four area elementary schools and two community-based organizations.
• Supported the initiative’s faculty member with planning, assessment and curriculum development and
managed communication and relationships with school contacts and community partners.
• Designed and implemented Health and Wellness Initiative assessment plan including literature review,
community partner interviews and student focus groups.
Student Affairs Graduate Intern May-June 2014
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
• Developed and implemented the Summer Transition Program Success Coach training.
• Designed and facilitated workshops on student development theory and civic reflection facilitation for
Success Coaches.
• Planned and facilitated the Summer Transition Program’s Welcome Event for students and families.

2. Karen R. Berg page 2
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Director, AmeriCorps Programs September 2010-July 2013
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL
• Recruited and supported a diverse team of 25 AmeriCorps members (predominantly recent college
graduates) providing direct community service at partner organizations.
• Advised members on career planning, coordinated orientation events, team-development initiatives,
professional development workshops, leadership initiatives and provided problem-solving counseling.
• Led fundraising and grant-writing efforts doubling the department budget and creating a new program.
• Supervised a full-time program associate, a University of Chicago graduate fellow and multiple college
interns.
English as a Foreign Language Instructor February 2008-February 2009
Kai En English Training Center Shanghai, P.R. China
• Instructed adolescents and adults in spoken English managing 8-10 classes each week.
• Prepared students for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.
• Advised students on course curriculum based on language assessments and individual goals.
Campus Organizer August 1996-December 1998
The State PIRGs Bloomington, IN & New Brunswick, NJ
• Mentored and developed 10-15 student leaders each semester to advance program goals, recruit and
retain student participants, build campus relations, manage budget and increase visibility at Indiana and
Rutgers Universities.
• Engaged over 500 student volunteers yearly in service and advocacy programs addressing social issues.
• Directed internship programs collaborating with faculty and fostering experiential learning and civic
engagement.
• Implemented and maintained organizational funding systems in partnership with the Bursar, Dean of
Students, Vice Chancellor and Student Government.
• Coordinated State PIRGs full-time recruitment at Indiana, Penn State and Bucknell Universities.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Principal August 2009-December 2011
KRB Consulting LTD. Chicago, IL
• Developed and maintained relationships with non-governmental organizations to provide project
management, workshop facilitation, marketing, intern and volunteer management, and policy
development services.
• Planned a national lobby day for school-based health care in Washington, D.C. that involved over 800
educators, health professionals, and college and high school student leaders.
• Developed and implemented strategy for the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity in collaboration with
35-organization leadership team representing diverse industries.

3. Karen R. Berg page 3
Policy Director/Project Director October 2001-July 2007
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition Chicago, IL
• Developed, strengthened and maintained relationships with state and federal legislators, policy makers
and administrators and coalition partners including Chicago Public Schools and Illinois Department of
Human Services.
• Managed fund development through grant writing that generated over $450K, tripling the project
budget, managed a full-time project associate, two AmeriCorps members and 2 part-time consultants.
• Coordinated a 300-member coalition including a fifteen-person leadership team, three working
committees, annual conference and quarterly regional meetings.
• Directed civic engagement efforts engaging over 100 parents, high school students and professionals in
state legislative days, Congressional visits and awareness events.
Administrative Director December 1998-June 2001
New Jersey PIRG Trenton, NJ
• Composed and managed organizational budget of over $1 million and managed accounts payables,
accounts receivables and personnel benefits for 35 full-time staff.
• Led strategic planning with Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Supported grant writing and budget proposals for private and government grants.
• Planned staff retreat, staff meetings and team-development activities.
EDUCATION
Loyola University Chicago Expected May 2015
M.Ed. Higher Education Chicago, IL
Graduate Research:
• Democratizing Higher Education and Student Affairs, Dr. OiYan Poon, Loyola University Chicago
• Developing an Anchor Institution to Advance Social Justice at a Jesuit University, Independent Study,
Loyola University Chicago
Indiana University May 1996
B.S. Public Affairs Bloomington, IN
• Concentration: Environmental Science and Management
• Minors: Spanish and Latin American Affairs
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
• Vice President, Higher Education Student Association, Loyola University Chicago, 2014-Present
• Officer, Lawndale Commons Condominium Association, 2004-08; 2010-2014
• Board Member, Chicago Women’s Health Center, 2006-2008
• Board Member, National Assembly on School-Based Health Care, 2007-2008