Alumni Profile: Karen McCurdy
All alumni of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design go on to expand the practice of design in profound and unique ways as they head out on their own career journeys. For Karen McCurdy (who graduated as Karen Dann, BFA ’84), that journey led to an over 30-year career of active and reserve duty in the United States Army.
“My parents were huge supporters of the creative arts,” said McCurdy, whose father was also a retired Army officer. “I was encouraged to study design, but when I was granted an Army ROTC scholarship, my path became very different from the other designers in my class.”
Immediately after her graduation, McCurdy was commissioned into the Army as a Military Intelligence Officer serving on active duty with the First Infantry Division. She entered the Army reserves as a Civil Affairs Officer. During Operation Uphold Democracy, she was on the Ministerial Advisory Team in Haiti, West Indies. She served as a Civil Affairs General Support Detachment Commander. During Operation Joint Endeavor, she served on the NATO Peace Stabilization Force Headquarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina.
After matriculating through the ranks, culminating with a promotion to Colonel, McCurdy began serving as an Acting Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO) DCE R3 where she was the conduit between the Department of Defense and the FEMA Regional Administrator. McCurdy’s other assignments included serving as a Regional Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer and the State Emergency Preparedness Officer to Maryland. She also provided operational support during Presidential Inaugurations, Super Storm Sandy, and Hurricane Irene.
After retiring from the military in 2014, McCurdy served as the Lead, Regional Watch Center (RWC), for FEMA in Region 3. She managed the operations of the RWC and was responsible for maintaining 24/7 Situational Awareness as well as providing analysis of incidents, which might require Federal support. As Situational Awareness Section (SAS) Chief, she managed the SAS team and the Geo-Spatial Information Unit (GIU), responsible for providing reports and geo-spatial mapping during regional activations including National Special Security Events (NSSEs) and severe weather events.
Today, McCurdy serves in the Department of the Army as a Civilian Emergency Manager in the ARNORTH Defense Coordinating Element Region 3 (DCE R3), assigned to FEMA. As an Emergency Manager, McCurdy works on complex plans for contingency missions to provide Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), as required by Executive Orders and the National Response Framework. She is responsible for supporting USARNORTH Commander's mission tasking for DSCA planning, coordination, training/exercises, and operational execution in FEMA Region 3. Additionally, McCurdy serves as Liaison Officer to FEMA and the Interagency. Some of the more challenging missions DCE R3 has encountered include DoD’s support during Hurricane Maria (2017) and support during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2022).
“As an Emergency Manager, I was responsible for overseeing teams drafting complex interagency life-saving and life-sustaining mission assignments for military forces to perform logistical staging, air/sea lift, port operations and power restoration missions in Puerto Rico,” said McCurdy. “During COVID-19, my teams coordinated DoD response, vaccination campaign and medical team missions. DoD supported a whole of government effort during Coronavirus operations to reduce suffering and save lives, while continuing to execute homeland defense.”
Throughout such an incredible career, McCurdy reflects fondly on how her foundation education as a designer has prepared her for the intense responsibilities and situations she has faced.
“Designers are problem solvers,” explained McCurdy. “What I loved the most about design was the uniqueness of each request and solution. Clients have unresolved issues or need solutions to varied and complex problems. The same is true for emergency managers.”
McCurdy’s current responsibilities require her to face unique challenges every day. She serves as a liaison to Federal, State, and Local stakeholders, she assists in All-Hazards Planning, and processes Requests for Assistance (RFAs) for DoD resources during Presidential Declared Emergencies and Major Disasters.
“The analytical rigors of the design process prepared me well for service in the military,” continued McCurdy. “During critiques, designers must articulate their concept or design and defend their work. The ability to effectively communicate is honed and refined by students of design. During my military and civilian career, I was often selected to be a senior spokesperson, presenting briefings and updates to large audiences, including high-level military and civilian officials.
“Designers graduate with the confidence to craft and deliver messages that resonate with audiences.”
Carnegie Mellon University still holds a special place in McCurdy’s heart as her family’s “beloved alma mater.” Her husband, Alec (Chem E ’82), and his brother, Alan (Chem E ’76), attended Carnegie-Mellon and her father-in-law, Patrick (Chem E ‘50) graduated from Carnegie-Tech. McCurdy recently returned for a visit to campus for her 40th class reunion.
“The campus looks fantastic,” said McCurdy. “I had the opportunity to visit the design studios and speak with current students. These future designers are innovative, creative, and working hard, just like we did 40 years ago.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to Carnegie Mellon, it demanded excellence and provided a well-rounded education preparing me for a design career that ended up being a career in the military.”