Karen Duey, a Johnson & Wales University College of Online Education student, was honored as the 2017 Outstanding Student at this year’s UPCEA New England Regional Conference held in Portland, Maine.

Karen has just returned from a full year in Antarctica, working on staff at McMurdo Station, a research facility on the icy continent. Karen is no stranger to the extreme locale—she has previously worked four summer seasons (October through February)—and said that venturing to Antarctica has been a dream of hers since she was 18. She even requested assignment there while serving in United States Navy from 1988 through 1993 but didn’t set foot “on the ice” until 2013, when she accepted her first seasonal position.​​​

Read More About Karen - Uncharted Territory: Working in Antarctica and Earning a Degree Online »

Karen is working towards her Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management degree. Before enrolling in the JWU College of Online Education, she was familiar with the high-caliber, professional education that the university offers, as she is a 1995 JWU alumnus and holds an associate degree in applied science culinary arts.

Learning online gives her the flexibility to accomplish her educational goals from anywhere, whether she is home in Connecticut or working in Antarctica. Her strong academic performance, combined with her determination to take her learning to the limit—literally—were among the factors that distinguished her as this year’s Outstanding Student. Dean Cindy Parker, EdD, attended the ceremony and participated in the presentation.

Congratulations, Karen! The College of Online Education—including the staff, professors, and your fellow students—as well as the entire Johnson & Wales University community is incredibly proud of your accomplishments so far!

For more information on pursuing your degree through Johnson & Wales University College of Online Education, complete the “Request Info” form on this page or call 855-JWU-1881 or email [email protected].