About
Howdy, I’m !
I’m a PhD student in Human Development and Family Science at Virginia Tech, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. My research interests include children’s moral development, caregiver-child conversations, and relational ethics, with a focus on understanding responsibility and relationships.My interdisciplinary background spans graphic design, children’s product design, and family therapy, with a focus on creating accessible and inclusive experiences for children and families.
Professional Values
- Inclusivity: Ensuring access and equity for all individuals.
- Human-Centered Design:
Designing solutions focused on people’s needs. - Empowerment through Education:
Enhancing skills for personal and social growth. - Research and Evidence-Based Practice:
Applying scientific methods to improve interventions. - Innovation and Creativity:
Fostering novel solutions through creative thinking. - Community and Collaboration:
Building partnerships to strengthen community impact.
Education
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science, concentrating in Marriage and Family Therapy, Virginia Tech (Expected 2030): Currently pursuing doctoral training with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, focusing on children’s moral development and relational ethics.
- M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Alliant International University (2024-2026): Completed graduate training in systemic and relational approaches to therapy with individuals, couples, and families.
- First-level Master’s in Design for Kids and Toys, POLI.Design (2022-2023): Specialized in creating educational and product service systems for children, integrating design principles with child development.
- B.F.A. in Graphic Design, School of Visual Arts (2012-2016): Focused on visual communication and design fundamentals, with projects spanning various media and applications.
Current Engagement
PLAY WITH KIP
My initial career in design, brought on by a passion for the arts, eventually evolved into creating more meaningful interactions through PLAY WITH KIP, a platform I developed to support social-emotional learning among young families. This initiative merges my design skills with my interest in facilitating personal growth, offering engaging content that encourages self-discovery and emotional resilience.
What Others Say
"Karen was unbelievable. She takes ownership of projects from start to finish, and approaches every step with professionalism, detail, and pride."
Joe Formica
Founder, Bitesize UX
"I came for the design tips but stayed for Karen’s unexpected insights into everything else. It’s been more helpful than she probably realizes."
Frida Terán
Student, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
"Her solutions were always unique and came from a totally different place than everyone else’s."
Gail Anderson
Principal, Anderson Newton Design