Karen Swan is the James J. Stukel Distinguished Professor in the Teacher Leadership program at the University of Illinois Springfield and a researcher in the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS) at that institution. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Keene State College, and Master and Doctor of Education degrees in Instructional Technology from Teacher College, Columbia University.

Karen's research is in the general area of media/technology and learning.  She has published over 100 articles, 2 books, and several multimedia programs on educational technology topics, and has made over 200 presentations in this area.  Currently, her research interests center on online and blended learning and data analytics. 

Karen is recognized as a leading international researcher in tthe effectiveness of online teaching and learning. In 2006, Dr. Swan received the Sloan Consortium for Asynchronous Learning Networks Award for Most Outstanding Achievement in Online Learning by an Individual and was inducted into the inaugural class of Sloan-C Fellows in 2010.  She also received the2010 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University.