Karen Queener, director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action at Pellissippi State Community College, has been elected chair-elect to the board of the Southern Region’s College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. Her appointment starts July 1.
CUPA-HR provides member institutions and HR professionals with developmental opportunities and technical assistance for managing human resources effectively. The organization is the leading voice regarding higher education workforce issues.
“It’s an honor to be chosen for this position,” Queener said. “CUPA-HR’s work is critical to Pellissippi State and other institutions in the Southern Region.”
The Southern Region of CUPA-HR includes 13 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The organization’s membership includes 90 percent of all U.S. doctoral institutions, 70 percent of all master’s institutions, 50 percent of all baccalaureate institutions, and 500 community colleges and specialized institutions.
Queener was instrumental in founding the state CUPA-HR chapter five years ago, and she served as one of the first co-presidents. Since then she has helped host state and regional CUPA-HR events and has been on the programming committee for the national conference. She just completed one year of service as the Southern Region corporate partners liaison.
In her new capacity, Queener will serve as program chair for the annual conference, assist the planning chair with projects throughout the year, collaborate with the chair and professional development coordinator to select conference keynote speakers, and assume the duties of the chair when absent.