A native of Montgomery, AL, she received her B. S. in psychology (cum laude) from Alabama State University. She then taught abstinence education to 6th-12th graders in Bullock County, Alabama and was the advisee for the LIFESavers (Leaders Inspiring Freedom through Education) Club. During her Ph.D. program, she received a UA National Alumni Association License Tag Graduate Fellowship and currently holds a fellowship with the Southern Regional Education Board’s Doctoral Scholars Program. Her research interests include the impacts of cultural diversity and socioeconomic status in public schools. Karla also is a participant in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.