Karami Underwood named new Director of Murray State University’s Paducah Regional Campus

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University is pleased to announce its new Director of the Paducah Regional Campus, Karami Underwood. Underwood graduated from Murray State in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. She later earned a Master of Science in Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Alabama in 2016. She is married to Rick Underwood and they have two children, Mason and Madeline.

In recent years, Underwood has worked in the field of skilled nursing facility healthcare management and marketing. She also served as Community Manager for the American Cancer Society for multiple western Kentucky counties prior to her career transition to long-term care. Underwood currently serves on the board of directors for the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center, is past President of the Purchase Area Mental Health and Aging Coalition, is a committee member for the Purchase Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s and is a member of Paducah Professional Women.

As a Paducah native, Underwood is very familiar with the Paducah community and surrounding area, and will be a valuable asset to Murray State. Her leadership and professional experience will lend support to enrollment growth and educational opportunities for students throughout the service region. 

"We're very fortunate to have found someone with the skills, experience and energy that Karami possesses. She will be an excellent leader and representative of Murray State University in Paducah, and her passion for lifelong learning will serve the Paducah community well," said Dan Lavit, executive director of the Center for Adult and Regional Education. 

Underwood shared, “I am very excited to join the Paducah Regional Campus! I was very involved as a student at Murray State and have stayed in contact with many of my former mentors. I believe this allows for a smooth and quick transition into the role. Being here feels like coming home.”

For more information about Murray State University's Paducah Regional Campus, visit murraystate.edu/paducah or call 270-442-4753.