Charles Allen earned a B.A. in mathematics from Franklin College of Indiana and spent 25 years in various occupations including ditch-digger, publisher, and CEO. Yearning for something other than monetary reward, he went back to college to earn a B.S. in secondary education from Indiana University.

After several years teaching mathematics at different high schools, Allen earned a M.S. in mathematics at UNLV and taught for six years at two private schools: Henderson International for four years, and Adelson Education Campus for two years.

Desiring to teach in higher education, Allen returned to UNLV to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics education, and obtained his current position in the Mathematics Learning Center.