Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas

Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas is a Professor of Education at the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development. She holds appointments in the Department of Education Leadership, Foundations & Policy and the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning. Her research focuses on college environments, living-learning communities, and strategies to support underrepresented STEM students. She previously served as Principal of Hereford College, a residential learning community at UVA.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2000
• M.S.E., Northwestern University, 1994
• B.A., Northwestern University, 1992

Research Interests: Dr. Inkelas studies how academic and social environments impact student success, particularly for marginalized groups in STEM. Her work includes leading the National Study of Living-Learning Programs (NSLLP) funded by NSF grants, and co-leading the Student Flourishing Initiative—a collaboration with Penn State and UW on mindfulness-based curricula for first-year students. She directs the Crafting Success project to close STEM achievement gaps.

Grants & Leadership:

• Principal Investigator for NSF-funded NSLLP
• Research Director, Crafting Success Project
• Co-PI, Student Flourishing Initiative

Key Contributions: Her research bridges higher education policy and practice, emphasizing residential programs' role in fostering belonging and academic integration. Recent work highlights variability in mindfulness program implementation across universities.

Labs/Initiatives: Contemplative Sciences Center (Undergraduate Research Director), Student Flourishing Initiative, Crafting Success Project.