Representatives of Academic Enterprise

Karen joined UTMB in Feb 2023 (a newbie relative to the longevity of UTMB employees). She works in the Office of Research Integrity and Regulatory Affairs, where she directs the office workflow and processes (post-approval monitoring of research studies that engage human participants, investigational new device applications to the Food and Drug Administration, and registration and maintenance of UTMB clinical trials).

Before arriving at UTMB, Karen worked at a research institute in Boston and then at a Tier 1 research college in Boston for ten years. At her previous institution, Karen served on the planning committee for the institution’s annual diversity summit, was the co-chair of the Black Faculty Staff and Administrators Association, a member of the Women’s Coalition, and an ally to other affinity groups (ones with whom she did not share a salient identity but supported fully like the Veteran’s group). She hopes to continue to live her servant leadership philosophy at UTMB by providing service as needed to the institution that promotes and nurtures a healthy work environment.

Burgandy has been with UTMB since 2012. She started her career with UTMB in Radiology as a Business Coordinator. In 2017, she transferred to the School of Nursing in the Office of Admissions and Academic Affairs. She manages, coordinates, and directly supports the administrative activities for the admissions processes for Graduate (MSN and Doctorate in Nursing Practice) students and Baccalaureate (RN-BSN) students. She served as chair for the Staff Assembly committee for School of Nursing and now serves as chair for the Social Committee for School of Nursing.

Jill has been with UTMB since 2012.  She started her tenure with UTMB in the School of Nursing as a Business Coordinator for the Baccalaureate program.  In 2013, she moved to Student Services as an Administrative Associate for the AVP of Student Services, where she served in multiple roles to successfully support the Department.  During the pandemic, she assisted Student Health with COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the students by learning EPIC and checking students into the clinic.  She also helped keep track of COVID-positive students and sent out notifications to schools as needed when students became infected and were under quarantine.  In 2021, she moved within Student Services to Enrollment Services where she now serves as a Senior Enrollment Services Specialist with Scholarships and Veteran’s Benefits.  She certifies all Veteran students' enrollment for each term with the VA.  She also runs the scholarship committees for SON and SHP.  Outside of work, she is a wife and mom to three grown daughters, one is a recent graduate of Texas Tech and the other two are a junior and sophomore at Stephen F. Austin University.  She also teaches group fitness classes at a local gym on the weekends.