On May 11, 2018 Karen Shoaf received her Masters of Science degree in Public Health, magna cum laude, from Campbell University.

She was also commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. After completion of officer training in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Lt. Shoaf will be sent to airborne school and then report to her first duty station at Fort Bragg, home of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Lt. Shoaf is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Shoaf of Durham and the granddaughter of the late Walter and Louise Shoaf and the niece of Kenneth and Debbie Shoaf, all of Salisbury.