An excellent teacher: Dr. Karen Grant

A professor known for her passion for mentoring college students and training the next generation of youth workers, is the Columbia International University recipient of the Excellence In Teaching Award presented by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU).

Dr. Karen Grant joined the CIU faculty in 2001 and teaches in the Youth Ministry, Family, and Culture department. Her course load spanning more than two decades includes ministry programming and administration, camp and retreat management, cross-cultural ministry, and youth and family ministry. 

Grant holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in leadership from Columbia International University, an M.A. in ministry from Moody Bible Institute, an M.A. in education (school counseling) from California State University-Stanislaus, and a B.A. in recreation administration from California State University-Chico. 

Before joining CIU, Grant served as the director of student activities at California State University-Stanislaus. She then accepted the call to serve full-time in youth ministry in Rockford, Illinois.

As a licensed minister, Grant currently serves as a youth pastor and college ministry director at Temple Zion Baptist Church in Columbia. She is also the vice chair of the board of Bethel Christian Camp in Lexington County. Grant’s international ministry includes mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Honduras and youth ministries in South Africa, Kenya and the Philippines. 

But perhaps Grant is best known for visiting her student interns, regularly having lunch with her students on campus, and inviting them to her home for cookouts. 

Community is at the heart of CIU. With record enrollment for five straight years, CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.