Karen Jones has traveled all around the world teaching, speaking, and contributing to the international community of Sport Law. From Spain to Italy to China to Switzerland, Dr. Jones has seen it all. Now, however, she has found a home as part of the faculty at Rice University's Department of Sport Management and will head the Sport Law concentration. She will lead the Sport Law program in its transformative years and build it up to most benefit Rice students.
Jones has a background in law, management, and the arts. With a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago in communications, a master’s degree from DePaul University in sociology, and a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University Law School, she is prepared to impart her experience and knowledge on the Sport Law students here at Rice. Dr. Jones also brings a corporate perspective to the department; she has been employed by international organizations for almost 20 years and has worked in contracts, compliance, management, and procurement.
Her international experience also plays a major factor in terms of the direction she hopes to take the Sport Law concentration. Jones spent time studying abroad in Spain before living in Belgium as a visiting scholar with the University of Leuven, Labor Law Instituut. She then worked as Program Coordinator with T.M.C. Asser Instituut, International Sport Law Centre, while also serving as the managing editor of The International Sports Law Journal. Speaking at many conferences, as well as teaching at universities abroad, gives Jones an international perspective to the world of Sport Law and connections in all corners of the globe.
“Because I have had such a rich experience and opportunities living in other countries and working with people around the world, I look forward to bringing a greater emphasis on exposing students to more diverse international opportunities and options” Jones said.
Deciding to settle down at Rice University, Jones is taking the opportunity to really develop the sport law concentration. She currently teaches Sport Law and Sport Mediation, both introductory classes for the sport law concentration within the Sport Management major. In Sport Law, students are introduced to the American legal system and how the areas of sports are integrated with that system. Sport Mediation introduces the principles of mediation and applies those to sport. Her ultimate goal is to increase opportunities for students to succeed wherever their passions lie.
Overall, Jones looks forward to “becoming part of the Rice University community, getting to know the students and faculty, making a valuable contribution to the Department of Sport Management, and helping to increase knowledge and opportunities for students.”
Madison Nasteff, a junior from Liberty, Missouri, is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and is the student assistant for the Department of Sport Management.