Who We Are

Karen E. McLaurin-Chesson also referred to as “Dean K” has been at Brown University for the last 20 years. She held the position of Director of the Third World Alumni Activities Committee and Associate Director of Alumni Relations for five years. In 1993, she was named the first female director of Brown University’s Third World Center. 

full bio

Her impetus, leadership, dedication and commitment have made the Third World Center “a hub” of student leadership and diversity programming for the Brown community. She also serves as an Associate Dean of the College. Karen’s commitment to the work of the Third World Center and the Brown community has given her the honor to cultivate over 1000 student leaders instilling cross-cultural interactions and a heightened sense of empowerment. Through her work she has aided the university in becoming more accessible to a diverse population of students. She has built a stronger sense of community and unity by grooming Minority Peer Counselors, Minority Peer Counselor Friends, Third World Transition Program Student Coordinators, Minority Peer Counselor Coordinators, Third World Center student staffers and her academic advisees.

Karen provides a supportive environment that permits students to weave their academic work and intellectual engagements into their community programming aspirations. The Third World Center has become a ‘home away from home’ to many students and an environment where they can garner the tools and challenge themselves to navigate societal barriers such as Racism, Classism, Sexism, Heterosexism and Homophobia.

Prior to returning to Brown University, Karen served on the personal staff of U.S Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy and researched and advised the Senator on Federal Judicial nominees, Biomass Energy, agricultural issues, whistleblowers and Indian Affairs. She ran successful campaigns for a Massachusetts state representative, state senator and city councilor and authored a Campaign Manual for the Massachusetts Black Caucus. She also directed a city wide student leadership program for the Boston Public School system. She served as Director of Operations for Harvard Street Health Center in Dorchester, MA as well as Contracts Coordinator for Massport at Logan International Airport.

Karen has served on several community service agency boards such as The Providence Center; Salomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center; the Dorchester Branch of the American Cancer Society; Rhode Island Educational Enrichment Program; and a member of the Lower Mills Community Association.  She is currently a host on the Cox cable show Africa Teach-in and co-editor of the Pepper Bird Magazine.

Karen earned a Juris Doctor degree from Antioch School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. She attended Boston College Law School, Oxford University’s Merton College and Simmons School of Social Work.