Dr. Karen Arcos attended Blind Children's Center as a totally blind student from six months adjusted age through five years. She is of Colombian and Mauritian background. Karen is currently a University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow researching uncertainty's role in memory at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience and an emphasis in Chicano/Latino Studies from the University of California, Irvine. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, her doctoral research focused on how your senses-or lack of them--impact your ability to remember information. Karen would like to know how visual, auditory, and tactile modalities influence individuals' memory abilities in those who are sighted and blind to improve educational outcomes and product design.

Karen graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Psychology and a Spanish minor. Being organized brings some much needed structure to her day and allows her to hone her time management skills. This is key to working independently and to collaborating both now and in her future career. Such achievements come due to being determined, responsible, and proactive.

Thanks to those who have helped her be where she is today, Karen is passionate about giving back to her community. As a Junior Mentor at Blind Children's Center since 2003, she has experience working with children whose disabilities range from blindness to intellectual, along with sharing her insights with parents using her Spanish bilingual and bicultural fluency. One father once asked her how she ties her shoes, and her answer surprised him because he thought it would be an impossible task for his daughter to accomplish. When Karen was 15, a mother asked her about her marriage plans. She was scared that her daughter would not find someone in the world. Karen commented she'd like her husband to be sensitive towards her needs without taking advantage of her. The mother then inquired about puberty. Karen let her know her daughter would care for her hygiene independently, and this confirmation brought tears to her eyes. Many parents see Karen in their children, and Karen is humbled by their positive comments. Sharing her experiences helps parents realize that their children can lead a fulfilling life. Karen loved volunteering there pre-pandemic because as she stepped in the door, an overwhelming amount of heartwarming love and compassion filled her.

For almost 20 years, Karen also completed the five kilometers portion of the Los Angeles Marathon in benefit of the Center. Many parents also ran, and seeing her inspired them to persist and complete the walk. Each dollar she raised gave her the satisfaction that she placed a grain of sand for this institution to flourish. Karen enjoys reading mysteries, spending time with family and friends, and hiking during her free time.

We are so grateful to count Karen among our family of alumnae and supporters, and we hope you will join her by donating today!

You can also support Karen by purchasing tickets or sponsoring the event - She'd love your support! Please type "Arcos" in the Company/Group Name field when completing the Purchaser Form so that the team at BCC knows you are supporting her!