Karen Cover, '18

Karen "K-dean" Cover was born in Kingston, Jamaica and recently graduated summa cum laude with an Arabic minor and a Mass Communications major.  Having lived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for several years, she developed a sincere appreciation for the peaceful and disciplined local people, their language, and culture. K-dean discovered an innate ability for learning to read and write Arabic which inspired her to enroll in Wright State University's Modern Languages Arabic program. Cultural diversity and a large cross-section of native Arab students proved a powerful selling point in her choice of educational institutions. Throughout her scholarly endeavors, she remained a devoted member of the Arabic Club, relishing her every memory of each Arabic film and experience she enjoyed as a result.  With her bubbly personality and congenial disposition, K-dean was always ready, willing and able to assist or tutor her fellow students and was oftentimes credited for motivating others to improve and succeed with their efforts. Living to serve and uplift others remains her greatest joy.

In reflection on her years with the Modern Languages department, K-dean references the impressive tutelage and pedagogical methods of Dr. Joshua Mabra and Instructor Amira Orr and credits her accomplishments on their behalf. With her newly acquired skill set and increased degree of confidence, she looks forward to returning to the Arab world on a whole new level, reuniting with good friends and business associates, with a much clearer understanding of her environment in great measure, thanks to WSU's Arabic program.

Aside from her academic achievements, she has been successful in pursuing her passion for music which began when she headed to Los Angeles where she was introduced to the iconic pop group The Commodores who signed her to an exclusive five-year publishing contract after recognizing her songwriting talent. Her first published song "I Wanna Rock You" was recorded and released by the Commodores on their 1986 "United" album.  Karen has collaborated with superstars among whom are Prince, Will Smith, and Fergie.  She has also made appearances in the film and television industry in, among others, Die Hard 2, Deep Cover and The Arsenio Hall Show.  Since the 1990s, she has toured all over from Europe, Canada, Malaysia, China, Central America to Dubai headlining shows and has garnered the moniker "The Entertainment Queen of Dubai" for her impressive performances.  

At Wright State, Karen hosts a radio show entitled "K-dean Vybz" on Friday nights from 9-11pm (EST) on WWSU 106-9FM while successfully maintaining a solid 4.0-grade point average.  After graduation, she plans to continue her education by attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a Master's Degree in Media Arts & Sciences.