Karen Wilkerson, director of the Upward Bound program, passed away Oct. 23 after battling an illness.

Her memorial service took place on Monday at Minda Street Church of Christ, where her husband, Gerald Wilkerson, serves as an elder.

Wilkerson joined the staff in 2002 as a Talent Search advisor, until she became the Upward Bound director in 2006. Before ACU, she was an Upward Bound Counselor at McLennan Community College. She was also president of the Texas Association for Special Student Services Programs and a leader in the national community of TRIO professionals.

She received her bachelor’s in psychology from Texas A&M University and her masters in educational psychology from Baylor University.

Wilkerson was a mentor to high school students who wanted to be the first in their families to attend college and was widely respected in her community.

She is survived by her husband and their children, Donovan and Victoria.