Dr. Karen Close grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She dropped out of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas to marry Jack Close, who was a Doctoral student at the University of Texas, a Canadian, and widower with a son, Allen. Dr. Close and her husband, Jack, moved to South Carolina after serving in ministry for over 30 years with Western Christian high school and college in Canada. While in Canada she was heavily involved in church and community volunteer roles. She also served on the local hospital board of directors and the local historical society board.

Dr. Close is passionate about the local church and helping to make it a safe place for people to receive counseling help and spiritual guidance. In addition to volunteering at CIU as professor emeritus, she serves as a counselor, with an emphasis in family systems, at her practice, Safe Care & Counseling, LLC in Lexington, South Carolina.  She continues to serve the local church and community by teaching and supporting various groups. She says that her most meaningful accomplishment was her long marriage to her late husband, the love of her life, her three married children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

2004-present, Counselor, Safe Care & Counseling, LLC; 2020-present, Professor Emeritus, Columbia International University, 2004–2020 Staff & Faculty, Columbia International University; 2007-2022, Board of Directors, Western Christian College, Canada, 2004-2007 Adjunct Professor, Western Christian College, Canada

Education

B.A. in Ministry, Western Christian College, Canada

M.A. & M.A.C.E., Columbia International University

D.Min., Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA.