As UNLV’s director of IT strategic planning and communication, Karen Asquith helps connect experts in university experience (academic leaders, students, faculty, researchers, and staff) with technology experts to shape forward-thinking initiatives grounded in practical impact. Facilitating strategic planning, communication, marketing, governance, and new initiatives, she aims to ensure that innovation enhances the campus experience with IT services that are intuitive, responsive, and aligned with institutional goals.
Karen guides a talented communication and marketing team dedicated to keeping the campus informed and engaged around key IT efforts. Together, they craft communication strategies (web, video, marketing, events, social media, and branding) that help stakeholders understand and make the most of university technology. She also assists the chief information officer in guiding the university’s IT governance framework, promoting direct outreach and connection to campus governance for broader involvement, shared decision-making, transparency, and real-world impact.
With a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a master’s in psychology, and over 20 years serving at the intersection of technology and humanity within academia, Karen is always happy to hear about new opportunities to collaborate on projects that serve UNLV. Having served in varied roles in technology (support, programming, project management, planning), research, and workforce development throughout her career, her latest endeavors include connecting UNLV with the national research community and improving the connection between campus technology and workforce readiness.