Karen Stout has been named to the Bowman Distinguished Professorship in Leadership and will be director of the Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership at Western Washington University, the school announced.

Jack and Jo Ann Bowman endowed the Bowman Distinguished Professorship in Leadership. The professorship is dedicated to curricular innovation, teaching, and scholarship that advances the understanding and application of leadership, according to a press release.

“I am delighted that Karen has agreed to serve the University and our students as Bowman Professor and director of the Morse Institute. Karen is a proven leader in multiple organizations and in multiple ways, and her academic interests align perfectly with the Morse Institute’s mission,” said Brian Burton, associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Western. “She will continue the process of making the Morse Institute a vital part of Western and the leadership community started by Joe Garcia.”

Stout, professor of Communication Studies at Western, succeeds Garcia, who completed a five-year term as the first Bowman Distinguished Professorship in Leadership and director of the Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership. Garcia has returned as professor in the Department of Management at Western’s College of Business and Economics.

Stout earned her doctorate in Communications from the University of Utah, and has taught at Western since 2000. She has contributed to scholarly publications and is active in professional organizations and community service activities. She has received awards for her academic and professional achievements, including the 2012 Harry “Bud” Hazel Outstanding Service Award from the Northwest Communication Association. She recently served two consecutive terms as president of Western’s Faculty Senate.

“The prior director, Dr. Joseph Garcia, did a wonderful job in establishing the institute and Leadership Studies minor. I am excited to build on his excellent work and continue the development of the Institute,” Stout said in the release. “Given my academic training, scholarly interests, and professional leadership experience, this position feels like the next, natural step in my career.”