Kari Pahno has over 8 years of experience in higher education leadership. She currently serves as the Dean of Student Affairs at South University in Savannah, Georgia, where she is responsible for campus operations and developing the strategic direction for the student affairs department. Pahno has a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has held several roles with increasing responsibility at South University, including Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Housing and Student Activities.

1. Kari Pahno, M.Ed.
4602 Lansdowne Street
Savannah, Georgia 31405
912-414-9789 (M)
912-201-8079 (W)
kpahno@comcast.net (P)
kpahno@southuniversity.edu (W)
CAREER PROFILE
8+ years of experience in higher education, providing strategic and operational leadership
Dynamic, high energy leader with a keen focus on business results and student success
Skills and experiences include:
• Strategy, Vision, and Mission
Planning
• Leadership/Management
• Developing Academic Success
Strategies for the First Year of
Study
• Developing Operational Plans
• Building Effective Teams
• Drive for Results
• Ensuring Successful Student
Outcomes with Diverse Populations
• Motivating and Recruiting Diverse
Departmental Staff
EDUCATION
Argosy University, Pittsburgh, PA (2009)
Master of Arts, Educational Leadership
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME (1991)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
South University – Savannah, Georgia
Dean of Student Affairs (July 2010- Present)
• Responsible for total campus operations in absence of president
• Nominated by president for campus development program (CDP) in preparation
for future leadership opportunities within the organization
• Develop and execute the vision and strategic direction for the student affairs
department
• Assure compliance with federal, state regulations, as well as adherence to all
policies and procedures
• Manage/achieve key metrics, including persistence (retention), approved budgets,
employment rate and starting salaries of graduates, and student, graduate and
employer satisfaction

2. • Supervise all professional staff within the department, including the Associate
Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Career Services, Bookstore Manager,
Director of Housing, Career Center Manager and Evening/Weekend Coordinator
• Manage departmental succession plans and professional development for overall
staff satisfaction.
• Responsible for an operating budget of $1.1M for Career Services, Bookstore,
Student Affairs, and Housing, including profit and loss margins
• Develops relationships and alliances with students, alumni, faculty, staff, the
educational community, the local community, and business leaders
• Plan and organize New Student Orientation 16 times annually, as well as all
graduation ceremonies for 1500+ graduates
• Ensure educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, and professional
development of a diverse student population, including promoting community
service opportunities
• Provide on-boarding and support for new System Deans of Student Affairs
• Collaborates to create and execute annual strategic plan
South University – Savannah, Georgia
Associate Dean of Student Affairs (February 2008 – January 2010)
• Promoted to Associate Dean of Student Affairs within 13 months of employment
• Named Acting Dean of Student Affairs 02/2008 – 07/2009
• Nominated and selected for EDMC Emerging Leaders Program
• Successful completion of 10 module training program for future Deans of
Student Affairs including: Effective Leadership, Utilizing and Interpreting Noel-
Levitz Survey Results, Strategic Planning and Budgeting, Marketing, Legal
Issues, Disability Services, Student Development, Judicial Standards
South University – Savannah, Georgia
Director of Housing and Student Activities (January 2007 – February 2008)
• Ensured safe, clean, well-maintained and affordable housing environment
• Increased housing availability from 24 bed spaces to 80 bed spaces within first
year
• Developed and implemented graduate student housing
• Responsible for managing annual occupancy and financial plan
• Responsible for 16 annual housing orientation programs
• Provided support and development of student organizations
• Promoted community service opportunities: Holiday Hope, Adopt-A-Family,
Food Bank, Blood Drives
PreStar Financial Corporation – Savannah, Georgia
Director of Operations (June 2003 – January 2007)
• Responsible for total start-up operations of multiple offices including marketing,
management, recruiting, training, hiring
• Increased total loan closings for 3 offices by 50% within 12 months

3. • Forecasted, reviewed, managed annual company budget of $1.5M
• Implemented training programs for professional development of employees
• Negotiated office space and equipment leases for new locations
• Implemented fraud safeguard system to ensure state & federal compliance
True Priorities Consulting – Savannah, Georgia
Certified Coaching Consultant (April 1998 – January 2003)
• Strategic career planning and assessment for executives and professionals in
career transition
• Developed system to assist clients with effective job search strategies
• Prepared action plans to identify specific targets within desired job market
• Mentored clients with respect time management, resume writing, and
interviewing techniques
Additional Relevant Credentials
Certified Coaching Consultant, Coaches Training Institute 2002
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Additional Relevant Experience - Higher Education
General Psychology Tutor, University of Southern Maine 1990
Tutored students in general psychology principles
Created lesson plans / taught 6 General Psychology classes for teaching practicum
Pledge Coordinator, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, University of Northern
Colorado 1987
Planned and coordinated activities for pledge week
Responsible for teaching new pledges about Greek life and Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority
Special Events Committee, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, University of
Northern Colorado 1987
Assisted in the planning of special sorority activities including philanthropic
community events