Central College President Mark Putnam has announced the appointment of Karmen Ten Napel as vice president for student development and dean of students. Ten Napel has served as the dean of students at Morningside University in Sioux City since 2014 and as associate vice president for student life and Title IX coordinator since 2019. She begins her duties at Central Thursday, June 1.
“Karmen’s high energy, professional expertise and heart for students are in complete alignment with our vision at Central for leadership, partnerships and relationships necessary for success,” Putnam said. “Her holistic approach to student development is collaborative, open-minded and originates from a place of empathy.”
Ten Napel’s student services portfolio at Morningside included residence life, campus ministries, personal counseling, student health, diversity and inclusion, dining, student crises, conduct issues, strategic planning and work dedicated to retention, Title IX, training and student and parent communication. She was part of a $14 million, 90-day renovation project of a 400-bed residence hall; led her campus through the COVID-19 pandemic; and has overhauled policies and streamlined processes to support students in a more inclusive way.
Prior to her most recent roles at Morningside, Ten Napel also served as associate dean for the learning center in academic affairs, 2012-14; as a first-year studies instructor and academic advisor, 2002-13; exploring coordinator, 2009-12; director of focus program and learning disabilities specialist, 2002-09; and as a language arts teacher at Blue Earth Area High School in Blue Earth, Minnesota, 1999-2002.
Central’s current vice president for student development and dean of students Carol Williamson, a 23-year employee of the college, will retire from her role May 31. She will stay on for a period of time to help with the transition and also work on some special projects for the college.
“I am deeply grateful to Carol for the work she’s done in her 30-plus-year career in both the enrollment management and student development spheres,” Putnam said. “Carol grew up in Pella and her love for this community, this campus and our students informed her passionate leadership. She’s advanced many initiatives at the college and leaves behind a wonderful team with her fingerprints on so many of our plans.”
Ten Napel is a member of the Association of Title IX Administrators, on the Siouxland steering committee of Iowa Women Lead Change and a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. She is a two-time recipient of Morningside’s Thomas S. Thompson Staff Excellence Award.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the Central family,” Ten Napel said. “Central College not only has an outstanding student development team, but also an entire community devoted to ensuring its students are difference-makers in the world. It is an honor to have been entrusted with this role, and I look forward to collaborating with Central’s students, staff and faculty.”
Ten Napel received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish from South Dakota State University; her Master of Science in education from Southwest Minnesota State University; and her Doctor of Education in adult and higher education administration from the University of South Dakota.
She and her husband Wade have two adult sons, Taylor and Hudson.
