Ms. Karen Fajardo has joined the Division of Human Resources as a Senior Human Resources Specialist and Title IX Coordinator. As an Institute-wide Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Fajardo will investigate alleged violations of Rensselaer’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. In addition, Ms. Fajardo will assist the Director of Employee Relations, Professional Development, and Title IX with alleged violations of Institute-wide Human Resources Policies, federal, state, and local labor, employment, equal employment opportunity, and non-discrimination laws and regulations.

Ms. Fajardo most recently served as Human Resource Director for Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH), Troy, NY, where she developed and managed policies, processes, and systems for recruiting, onboarding, employee development, employee relations, diversity, employee compensation, and employee benefits.

Before IPH, Ms. Fajardo held the positions of Human Resource Generalist at Corsicana Mattress Company in Corsicana, Texas, and Human Resource Assistant for the Department of Defense, Fort Riley, Kansas. Ms. Fajardo is a veteran of the United States Army and served for eight (8) years as a Non-Commissioned Officer and Human Resource Manager. During her military service, she was responsible for maintaining personnel documentation for 500 soldiers and assisted in developing and enforcing Human Resource policies.

Ms. Fajardo received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas, El Paso; holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is bilingual and fluent in English and Spanish.