Karen Gerety has been working as the Director of Disability Services since 2000.  Prior to that, she worked as the graduate assistant in the office while she attended graduate school in the Counseling program at Northern.  She received her Masters of Science in Education from NSU in 2003.  Before coming to South Dakota, Karen was employed as a case manager assisting individuals with developmental disabilities.  Her past experience also includes Social Services and Activities in a long-term care facility.  Karen received her Bachelors degree in psychology from Emporia State University in Emporia Kansas.   

She is currently a member of the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Advisory Board and the Aberdeen Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities.  She is interested in working with students making the transition from high school to postsecondary settings, and enjoys working with the South Dakota Transition Services Liaison Project on events such as “Catch the Wave” and “Youth Leadership Forum”.  Karen also has a very strong passion for animals, and has served as a member of the Aberdeen Area Humane Society Board of Directors for the past several years.