From Mongolia to New Concord: Librarian Karen Nelson’s stories of teaching abroad
By Katelyn Lindsey
I pushed open the heavy door, eager for my interview. As I stepped through the building’s glass doors, I was met by the entrance’s warm overhead light, tall ceilings, and a welcoming ambiance that can only be found in the quiet and warm corners of the Smith Library at Muskingum University.
This modern building is a beacon of the university, but neither the books nor computers are what makes the library dependable. Instead, it is the librarians—the librarians who help students navigate tough research projects in late afternoons or get jammed essays out of the printer an hour before the deadline.
On that particular October day, I wanted to learn more about the new librarian on campus, Karen Nelson.
Karen Nelson at the Hippodrome in Tyre, Lebanon, 2010 / Photo provided by Nelson
I approached the welcome desk, and Karen invited me into her spacious office. The office itself has a large window, a round table with multiple chairs, a desk, and a pile of shawls. We briefly discussed Karen’s love of knitting before I asked about her journey to becoming a librarian.
Before coming to Muskingum University to serve as an academic librarian, Karen obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in comparative literature from Brigham Young University in Utah. Driven by curiosity, Karen spent a decade traveling the world as an English teacher.
Initially, I was surprised to hear about the number of countries Karen had traveled to. She found the job listings online and landed her first teaching job in South Korea while finishing her master's degree.
“I get to Korea, and I start to learn about their culture and their history. And I'm like, well, I didn't learn anything about this in my own education. You know, so it gave me an opportunity to add to my own knowledge of the world that I wasn't getting through my educational experiences in the United States,” Karen said.
Karen Nelson with her coworkers in Mongolia / Photo provided by Nelson
The experience sparked a decade of teaching at educational institutions worldwide, including in Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Kurdistan, and Mongolia. Karen’s eyes lit up when she spoke about her travels.
After 10 years of teaching and traveling across the globe, Karen decided she wanted to change careers and become a librarian. She liked the idea of still being able to promote literacy and putting books in the hands of people, even outside of a teaching career. In 2015, she graduated with a master’s degree in library science.
Karen worked as a librarian at Eastern New Mexico University before coming to Muskingum University in the fall of 2022. She chose to work at Muskingum because of the atmosphere and to be closer to her home state, Michigan. Karen also relished the opportunity to teach again; this fall, she teaches the course Beyond Google: Research Skills.
One of the aspects Karen enjoyed about coming to work at Muskingum was that you are assigned a mentor as a new faculty member. She was assigned Associate Professor of English and Department Chair Dr. Kekoa Kaluhiokalani, who also happened to be a graduate of Brigham Young University.
In the basement of Cambridge Hall, I find Dr. Kaluhiokalani’s office. His office, located in the English suite, is adorned with books from floor to ceiling, and as I enter the space, Kaluhiokalani greets me with a warm smile.
Reminisced about his work and interactions with Karen, a theme of genuine warmth and intellectual enthusiasm emerged. According to Kaluhiokalani, Karen not only engages in discussions about books and culture but also exudes a sincere willingness to help others. He described her as being "on fire" with passion. At their first encounter a year ago, Kaluhiokalani recalled how Karen had generously offered her assistance in teaching research methods to his senior seminar class.
That Karen goes above and beyond for both faculty and students was echoed by Dr. Nainsí Houston, the library director. In an email, Houston emphasized Karen’s dedication to helping students with their academic endeavors, always approaching her job with a “sense of purpose and interest.”
It quickly became evident to me that Karen’s story is more than about a career transition; it is a narrative of continuous learning, dedication, and a genuine passion for fostering intellectual growth and collaboration. Karen’s presence enriches the Smith Library, where librarians are not merely overseers of books but mentors, guides and advocates for students’ educational journeys. Karen’s journey reflects the spirit of exploration, a journey that transcends borders, cultures and roles.
