Since earning her Master of Sports Science degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in 2009, Karen M. Carty has worked her way up through the ranks of collegiate athletics departments.
Armed with her Academy degree and more than a decade of leadership in sports marketing and media relations roles, Carty has joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) as its assistant commissioner for media relations. The MEAC is an NCAA Division 1 conference with eight Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) – Maryland’s Coppin State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and Morgan State University; Delaware State University, Washington, D.C.’s Howard University, Virginia’s Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.
A native of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Carty moved to the MEAC after two years working as the assistant athletics director for marketing, fan engagement and diversity at Bradley University in Illinois. In addition to her Academy degree, she also holds a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University (NSU), where she played collegiate tennis. She is also seeking her doctorate in higher education administration from Bradley.
“I chose to pursue my master’s degree at the Academy because I knew I wanted to work in sports and I felt that the classes offered by the Academy would properly prepare me for the career I wanted,” Carty said, noting that the Academy’s expansive network of graduates also led her to her final decision. “I spoke to an alumnus of the Academy who was on the football coaching staff at NSU and he had great things to say about the program.”
Like many other Academy graduates and students, Carty was able to work full time in the sports field while pursuing her master’s degree.
“The absolute best part about earning my degree was that I was working in sports while I was going to school, so just about everything I was learning was being practically applied at work,” Carty said.
“Additionally, I used what I was learning to help me stand out in my department, which ultimately prepared me for the journey that has been my career in sports. Earning my degree from an institution that only focuses on sports made sense because I knew I was going to be trained by faculty who were well-versed in teaching a sports curriculum.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Academy. The faculty and staff were amazing and very helpful. I always make sure to have my degree hanging in my office so that when students come in and see it, I can tell them about my great experience getting my degree from the Academy.”
Carty previously worked in various marketing and media relations roles at Grambling State University, South Carolina State University, Baltimore City College, and NSU.
Sooo proud of you Karen.