Dr. Karen Wolf earned a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1999.  She received her MA in Speech Communication from Syracuse University. 

In her research, she investigates the negotiation of cultural identities in naturally occurring settings. Specifically, she applies rhetorical and cultural communication theory to the study of identity negotiation and conflict management in various cultural groups. 

Before joining the faculty at Suffolk Community College, she has held full-time faculty positions in the communication departments at Oregon State University, Merrimack College, and most recently Baruch College/CUNY.  Throughout these positions she was very active with issues pertaining to continuing and distance education, women’s issues, and literacy.