Current Position and Past Experience
Karen McGregor serves as Executive Director of Student Success at Purdue University Global (PG), leading institution-wide efforts to improve adult learner engagement, persistence and belonging. She spearheaded the redesign of PG’s orientation ecosystem and created the nationally recognized Best-in-Class Basic Needs Support Badging Program.
Before joining Purdue Global in 2022, McGregor held multiple leadership roles at Northwood University, including Associate Academic Dean for Student Success and Director of Institutional Effectiveness, and earlier served as an Academic Services Officer at Wayne State University.
Education, Honors and Achievements
McGregor holds a Ph.D. in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University and both a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Eastern Michigan University.
A recipient of Purdue Global’s 2024 Excellence in Leadership Award, McGregor is also a contributing author to ASCEND: A Guide for Student Success Professionals and a featured guest on The ASCEND Podcast. In 2026, she will present at the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) conference and SXSW EDU, sharing evidence-based strategies for designing equitable and caring learner experiences.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
Passionate about adult learning and innovation, McGregor actively explores emerging technologies that strengthen student success. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, spending time with family, practicing French and making quilts!
