Karl Kunkel

Karl Kunkel serves as Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has a distinguished career spanning academia and administration, including 17 years as a faculty member (rising from Assistant to Full Professor) at Missouri State University, leadership roles at Pittsburg State University, and a tenure as Provost at Southeast Missouri State University.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia

Dr. Kunkel’s scholarly focus centers on the political economy of crime control, white-collar crime, and criminal courts, with additional commitment to the scholarship of teaching and learning. His administrative leadership extends to strategic planning, liberal arts advocacy, and national discussions on faculty mental health.

At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Dean Kunkel has spearheaded initiatives such as the rebranding of the college and represented its interests in UW System meetings. His career bridges sociological research with transformative leadership in higher education administration.