Karen Sampson '76

Karen Sampson was born and raised in Pembroke and graduated from Pembroke Senior High School. She graduated cum laude from UNCP (Pembroke State University) with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education. While at Pembroke State, Karen participated in various student activities, such as the Indianhead Yearbook and marching band.

Karen taught kindergarten at Southside-Ashpole Elementary School in Rowland, North Carolina, and then first grade at Tanglewood Elementary School in Lumberton, North Carolina, before moving to East Lansing, Michigan, with her husband, Kelvin Sampson (current head men’s basketball coach for the University of Houston). Throughout the years, Karen has devoted her time to numerous community and civic endeavors while supporting her husband’s career. She has worked with academically at-risk Native American students in the public schools of Butte, Montana, and chaired the committee for the Washington State Games opening ceremonies, which featured Dan O’Brien (1996 Olympic gold-medalist in men’s decathlon) as the keynote speaker.

In addition, Karen has been involved with several organizations, including P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) for over 25 years, and the Assistance League in Norman, Oklahoma.
At UNC Pembroke, the Sampson family established the John W. (Ned) and Eva B. Sampson Endowed Men's Basketball Scholarship for deserving young basketball players.

Karen resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband. They have two adult children, Kellen and Lauren, a daughter-in-law, Tonya, and a granddaughter, Maisy. Karen was appointed in 2018 to fill an unexpired term.

Board of Governors appointee through 2025