Transforming Higher Ed. Leading Boldly.
A higher education strategist and policy leader, Dr. Karen Elizabeth Bussey has dedicated her career to advancing equity, innovation, and student success in higher education. She currently serves as Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Secretary to the University at Fayetteville State University, where she advises senior leadership, oversees board governance, and drives cross-divisional initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness and long-term growth.
Previously, Dr. Bussey served as a policy advisor to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, leading workforce development and innovation strategies, and as a project manager and policy researcher with the Institute for Higher Education Policy in Washington, D.C., where she managed multimillion-dollar research portfolios and authored widely cited publications on access, data, and equity. She has also held leadership roles in student affairs and career services at Jackson State University, Indiana University Southeast, and the University of West Georgia.
Her expertise has been recognized through fellowships with the Association of Governing Boards, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the Montpelier Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution. A respected scholar and thought leader, Dr. Bussey has contributed to numerous national reports, policy briefs, and conference presentations, with a particular focus on advancing the role of HBCUs in shaping educational opportunities.
Dr. Bussey earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Howard University, a Master of Education in Professional Counseling–College Student Affairs from the University of West Georgia, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from South Carolina State University.
Education
- Ph.D., Higher Education Leadership and Policy – Howard University
- M.Ed., Professional Counseling–College Student Affairs – University of West Georgia
- B.S., Marketing – South Carolina State University