Carol Easley Allen holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Columbia Union College, in Takoma Park, Maryland; a masters degree in public health nursing, with a minor in higher education, and a doctor of philosophy degree in nursing both from New York University. Most of her professional career has been engaged in teaching in graduate and undergraduate programs in public health/community health nursing and in higher education administration. She has held the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, and also served as Acting President of that institution. Before assuming her present position as Professor and Chair of the Department at Oakwood University, she was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at The Catholic University of America School of Nursing in Washington, DC.

She serves as a commissioner for the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. She is a past president of the American Public Health Association and is presently active in its International Human Rights Committee. She has presented and published recently in the areas of the elimination of health disparities, human rights, public health nursing ethics, health literacy, and spirituality and health. A volunteer with the American Red Cross, she has been involved in HIV/AIDS prevention education in the US and abroad.