She received her Ph.D. in Organizational Communication with an emphasis in Negotiations in 1991 from Purdue University. Dr. Rudick started teaching at Eastern Kentucky University in 1992. She teaches courses in Negotiation, Communication Theory, Organizational Communication, Interviewing, and Business & Professional Speaking. Created in 2005 with alumni donations, the Karen L. Rudick Entrepreneurial Scholarship pays tribute to Dr. Rudick’s dedication and service to students majoring in Communication Studies. In 2006 Dr. Rudick was awarded the Distinguished Educational Leader Award for “Most Outstanding” teacher by the Eastern Kentucky University Student Government Association.