Karen Vigilant returns for her 11th season as head coach of the LBCC women's cross country team in 2015. She is also the women's head coach of the LBCC track and field team.

As a student-athlete, Vigilant was an outstanding sprinter. She holds three school records as a viking sprinter in the 400 hurdles, 4x100 meter relay, and 4x400 meter relay. Vigilant was also the California State champion in the the 400 meter hurdles in 1994 and in 1995 she was the California state champion in the 100 meter hurdles, 4x100 meter relay and the 4x 400 meter relay. In 1995 Vigilant was a member of the Viking team that won the California State Championship held in Bakersfield, California. She went on to compete for Arizona State University.

She is a member of the Long Beach City College Hall of Champions (athletic hall of fame) and Wilson High School Hall of Fame.

Vigilant received her Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and hearing science from Arizona State University in 1998, She received her California Teaching Credential from California State University, Long Beach in 2001 and her Master's degree in physical education and health from Azusa Pacific University in 2005.