We are deeply saddened to share the news of Karen Glass's passing, a beloved volunteer college coach whose kindness, wisdom, and generosity profoundly touched our ScholarMatch community.

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Karen joined ScholarMatch two years ago, bringing her remarkable storytelling gift and generosity of spirit to her coaching style when guiding our first-generation college applicants. 

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A Baltimore native and longtime Los Angeles resident, Karen built a rich career in entertainment after earning degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA Anderson School of Management. She spent 17 years at the Walt Disney Studios, helping shape beloved films such as The Princess Diaries, Freaky Friday, and The Santa Clause series, and later became an independent producer and an instructor at UCLA.

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When Karen turned her focus toward college advising, she called it her “second calling,” guiding students with the same creativity and care she once gave to shaping films—helping them discover their own stories with the confidence to tell them proudly. Her warmth, sense of humor, and belief in each student’s potential made the college journey not just achievable but also joyful for every student who worked with her.

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One of her students shared, “Karen was such a kind, warm, and genuinely wonderful person. She always did everything with patience, encouragement, and care.” Another added, “Her kindness and belief in students like me made a lasting impact on my confidence and my college journey.”

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All three of Karen’s ScholarMatch students from the 2024–25 admissions cycle were accepted to their top choice schools with full-ride scholarships —a testament to her dedication and heart.

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Karen reminded us what mentorship truly means: to listen carefully, to encourage with an open heart, and to believe in someone’s story until they can see it for themselves. 

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Her light will continue to shine through every student she helped and every colleague she inspired.

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