Mourning a Mentor
With her late husband, John Edwin Mroz, Karen Mroz played an integral role in the creation and development of the EastWest Institute, an organization dedicated to convening dialogue and diplomacy. Thanks to Karen’s unique vision, the College of Charleston worked with the EastWest Institute to establish the John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute. Since the institute’s launch in 2021, Karen made it her mission to ensure CofC students have the tools and experiences to be globally curious and grow as leaders.
Karen assumed positions on the institute’s steering committee and the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs’ Advisory Board. She also played an active role in the Mroz Institute’s EWI oral history project run by the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library.
“Karen was committed to continuing the legacy of her husband and the EastWest Institute here at the College of Charleston,” says Aimee Arias, dean of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs. “She was passionate about ensuring that students get the skills they need to be engaged global citizens – to be able to address global issues through critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving and a deep understanding of international affairs.”
One of Karen’s greatest passions was mentoring students. She would regularly come to campus to meet with students one-on-one.
“Karen was interested in the professional development of students, and she invested her time to ensure they had the tools to succeed,” says Max Kovalov, an instructor of international studies and the Bennett Director of the Mroz Global Leadership Institute.
Adds Arias: “She was never more excited than when meeting with students. She really enjoyed hearing about their internships, other cocurricular activities and career aspirations, and she was one of the most requested mentors for our International Scholars.”
One such scholar is Sara Solan, an international studies and political science major, who received the Ketner Emerging Leaders Scholarship and the Swanson Family Scholarship.
“Karen saw me not just as a student but as a potential changemaker in the world,” says Solan. “While Karen is no longer physically with us, I am confident that her bright spirit and passion for helping others will continue to illuminate the path for the Mroz Institute and students at the School of Language, Cultures, and World Affairs. The mark that she leaves on us here truly shows how extraordinary she was. Karen made us feel valued, capable and important. We will strive to honor her memory by embodying the values that she exemplified.”