Title: Professor, Author, Journalist, Consultant, and Poker Player
Company: Poker and Prose, LLC
Location: Riverview, Florida, United States
Marvin Karlins, PhD, Professor, Author, Journalist, Consultant, and Poker Player at Poker and Prose, LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in education, consulting, writing, and competitive gaming.
For more than 60 years, Dr. Karlins has established an esteemed career marked by significant contributions to academia, consulting, authorship and the world of professional poker. Most recently, he is associated with Poker and Prose, LLC, where he excels as professor, author, journalist, consultant and poker player. Through these multifaceted roles, Dr. Karlins continues to bridge his expertise in psychology, communication and gaming strategy, furthering his impact on both educational and entertainment communities.
Furthermore, Dr. Karlins has found success as a professor at the School of Management at the University of South Florida since joining the faculty in 1974. During this time, his dedication to teaching is evident in the enduring relationships he maintains with former students, some of whom have returned to his classroom with their own children. Dr. Karlins is particularly proud of the positive feedback he receives from students who credit his lessons with changing their lives. His commitment to education persists despite challenges such as low compensation and evolving academic landscapes.
From 1982 to 2002, Dr. Karlins served as senior consultant for Singapore Airlines. During this tenure, he developed Oasis — Operational Areas Seminar in Synergy — a pioneering initiative designed to enhance teamwork and communication among pilots, flight engineers, in-flight supervisors and ground managers. The program addressed operational silos and fostered mutual understanding across departments, helping Singapore Airlines maintain its reputation as a leading global carrier. Dr. Karlins also played a pivotal role in advancing aviation safety through his work on Cockpit Resource Management, emphasizing collaboration and communication to prevent accidents and save lives.
In addition to his academic and consulting achievements, Dr. Karlins is recognized as a professional poker player and author. He has participated in major televised events such as the World Poker Tour final table and the World Series of Poker. As poker ambassador for the Wynn Derby Poker Casino in St. Petersburg, Florida, he promotes the game’s values of skill and sportsmanship. He also supervises the USF Poker Club, engaging with approximately 160 students who share his enthusiasm for poker.
Dr. Karlins is also active as a member of several industry-related organizations, including the Authors Guild, the International Federation of Journalists and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. These affiliations reflect his commitment to professional standards in writing, journalism and academia.
Dr. Karlins’ academic foundation began at the University of Minnesota, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in 1963. He continued his studies at Princeton University with a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology in 1966. Dr. Karlins credits his upbringing in a nurturing household for shaping his character and values. He acknowledges that opportunities such as his acceptance into Princeton University and subsequent invitation from Singapore Airlines were instrumental in shaping his career trajectory.
Moreover, Dr. Karlins has authored 33 original books and co-authored several notable works, including “What Everybody Is Saying,” “The Light Switch,” “Read ‘Em and Reap,” written with Phil Hellmuth and Joe Navarro, and “Life Management 2.0.” His writing career has introduced him to prominent figures such as Lyle Berman and Steve Schussler, whose entrepreneurial ventures inspired several of his books. Notably, Dr. Karlins collaborated with Donald Trump on an introduction for a book about Berman prior to Trump’s presidency.
Born in Minneapolis, Dr. Karlins takes pride in his family’s accomplishments. His daughter, Amber, has achieved recognition as an award-winning screenwriter in the entertainment industry while his wife dedicated more than 35 years to teaching before retiring at age 65, furthering their family’s educational legacy. Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Karlins enjoys writing and playing poker, activities that continue to enrich both his personal life and ongoing career endeavors.
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