Karla Mugler earned her B.A. in German from Kent State University in 1970; she continued her studies at Northwestern University where she earned an M.A. in German, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education in 1974.

She served as Director of Career Planning & Placement at Cazenovia College in New York State before moving to California where she became a Counselor with the West Valley-Mission Community College District in 1976. Mugler directed the German program at Mission College and in 1980 took on added responsibilities as the Articulation Officer, working with the 4-year institutions in the state to insure the smooth transfer of students. She also served as Director of Counseling for Mission College .

In 1989 she returned to Northeast Ohio, originally being hired by The University of Akron as the Director of Special Projects. While holding that position, she also served as Interim Director of Alumni Relations and Interim Assistant to the President. Appointed Dean of University College in 1993, Mugler helps students in University College as they prepare to transfer to the degree-granting colleges. Since 2002 she has served as Associate Provost for Student Academic Success in addition to her role as dean. In collaboration with her administrative colleagues, Mugler has responsibility for New Student Orientation, Academic Advising, Tutorial Services, Learning Assistants, the Writing & Math Labs, Learning Communities, Student Success Seminars and Career Planning courses, the Post Secondary Enrollment Option Program (high school students taking college courses at UA), and transfer services.

Mugler has served as President of the Association of Deans and Directors of University Colleges and Undergraduate Studies and served for three years as co-chair of the Ohio Network of the American Council on Education's Office of Women in Higher Education. She represents the University on the Articulation & Transfer Council of the Ohio Board of Regents.