Concordia College has appointed Dr. Lisa Karch '00 as its new dean of the Sanford Heimarck School of Health Professions.
“I am honored to return to my alma mater and build upon the remarkable foundation established by Dr. Gwen Wagstrom Halaas, our faculty and staff, and the many supporters who helped bring the Sanford Heimarck School of Health Professions to life,” Karch said. “The vision, infrastructure, and innovative learning environment already in place create tremendous opportunities for the future.”
Karch brings more than 25 years of experience across K-12 and higher education, starting as a hall director at Concordia and then serving as a K-12 school counselor, which reinforced her belief that every student deserves access to opportunities that help them envision their own futures and realize their potential.
Later, she moved into higher education as a faculty member and administrator at Minnesota State University Moorhead, and then in administrative leadership at North Dakota State College of Science.
Her most recent position was as strategic projects manager at CareerViewXR, which aims to bridge the career awareness gap and ensure students have the opportunity to discover their dream job.
“Returning to Concordia feels especially meaningful because it is where my professional journey began, and I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the institution that helped shape both my personal and professional life,” Karch said.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in secondary health education from Concordia College in 2000, as well as a Master of Education in counseling and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in human development and education with an emphasis in counselor education and supervision, both from North Dakota State University.
“Concordia provided me with the foundation of a liberal arts education that challenged me to grow intellectually, personally, and professionally. It was a place where I learned not only what I believed, but why I believed it,” Karch said. “What stands out most, however, are the faculty and staff who invested in me. They saw potential in me before I saw it in myself and challenged me to become a better version of who I was.
“Concordia's mission of influencing the affairs of the world through thoughtful and informed service wasn't just something written on a page — it was lived every day. The people here genuinely cared about my success and encouraged me to pursue my purpose. Their belief in me helped shape the leader I am today.”
As dean, Karch hopes to drive meaningful, systematic change while supporting the work already being done within the Heimarck Center.
“I look forward to celebrating student success, supporting our talented faculty and staff, and working alongside internal and external stakeholders to advance the school's vision and impact,” she said.
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