Get to Know Blackhawk’s Kara Blue, Workforce & Community Development

July 19, 2023

Editor’s note: Over the past few years, we have been featuring spotlights on new employees and outstanding students within our campus community. We are excited to announce the launch of our new series, “Get to Know Blackhawk,” which will follow a Q&A format, allowing a more simple yet conversational approach to sharing the stories of individuals connected to the college.

What is your name and where did you grow up?

Kara Blue. I was born in Michigan but left there as a 2-year-old and grew up in the states of California, Ohio and Oregon.

What is your role at Blackhawk Technical College?

Operations Manager in Workforce & Community Development.

What was your journey to this role? Where did you go to school? What did you study?

I’ve explored a few different careers and have worked in both the private and public sectors. I started my professional career as a botanist/ecologist in ecological consulting. I studied biology, environmental studies, and botany in undergrad and grad school in Ohio.

After about six years of that, I attended library school at UW-Madison and worked in records management, followed by two positions in public libraries. Prior to Blackhawk, I was a reference and business librarian at Hedberg Public Library in Janesville.

Is there something that drew you to this career?

I was looking for a change. I knew Blackhawk had a great reputation. I knew employees and adjunct faculty at Blackhawk already who enjoy working here. Plus, it was a chance for me to try another new industry!

What skills do you possess that you believe will help you in this position?

I’m very detail-oriented and I like a healthy combination of public/client-facing work and working in the background. I enjoy managing projects or tasks from start to finish and thinking about how workflow or operations can improve. I have experience matching up training and trainers with people who need or want training. Therefore, working to secure contracts in WCD seemed like a good fit.

What is something Blackhawk offers that you feel other colleges do not?

I’m very new, but there is so much going on, so many options for lifelong learners. Since learning about Blackhawk and interacting on the level of business networking in Rock County, I am impressed by how present Blackhawk is in the community.

What is your life like outside of work? Family? Community involvement? Adorable pets?

My life is busy! I’m a mom, wife, sister, daughter. I live in the country and have various animals and plants to care for, including two dogs, two cats, two chickens, and sometimes livestock. I’m currently a Forward Janesville ambassador.

Tell us something about yourself you think people would be surprised to know.

My 10-year-old and almost-12-year-old kids are both almost as tall or taller than me, and their shoe sizes have already surpassed my own!

If you had to pick one season to live in all year round, which season would you choose?

Fall, if it’s sunny enough.

What is your favorite movie?

Comedy: "Office Space." Drama/Romance: "Chocolat."

Sci-Fi: "Guardians of the Galaxy" or "The Hunger Games."

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, which food would you pick?

Sushi.

What's one song that always must be on your playlist?

“Piano Man” by Billy Joel.

What is your dream vacation destination?

I’m very curious about Norway.

If you could have dinner with anybody, alive or dead, who would you choose?

Right now, my choice would be Jamie Oliver. A dinner/cooking lesson would be great!

What/who is your favorite sports team or pro athlete?

I don’t have a favorite. I was a gymnast in grade school/middle school and do still enjoy watching women’s gymnastics regardless of who is competing. I currently do CrossFit and sometimes watch those crazy CrossFit competitions.

What is your favorite TV show?

Right now, it is the Jamie Oliver cooking channel. My favorite TV series over the years have been “How I Met Your Mother,” “Seinfeld,” “Elementary” and “Stranger Things.”