Karen Reilly

Karen Reilly serves as the Dean of Integrated Communications at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State). Since stepping into the role in 2020, she has led the college’s efforts to attract new students, share the value of an M State education, and create a welcoming, student-centered experience. With more than 20 years of experience in education and enrollment services, Reilly brings a strong background in helping students connect with the opportunities that higher education provides. At M State, she oversees the college’s marketing, communications, and public relations efforts, all aimed at making it easier for students to learn about the college, plan a visit, apply, and get the support they need to succeed. Reilly has been instrumental in modernizing how M State connects with current and prospective students. She led a college-wide website redesign, launched targeted digital advertising campaigns, and implemented search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve online visibility. These initiatives have helped more students and families find the information they need and take confident steps toward enrollment. She is passionate about higher education and delivering the right message, at the right time, through the right platform. Reilly thrives in a fast-moving environment and remains focused on strategies that support students and strengthen the college as it evolves in a rapidly changing higher education landscape.