Office of Chief Counsel
Chief Counsel

Karen M. Romano

Karen Romano joined Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education as Chief Counsel in April 2024 bringing nearly 25 years of legal experience to the office. As Chief Counsel, Karen provides legal advice to the Office of the Chancellor and the Board of Governors while overseeing the Office of Chief Counsel and Offices of University Legal Counsel.

Prior to joining the State System, Karen served as Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Civil Litigation Section of the Office of Attorney General where she led a team of 27 trial attorneys tasked with representing the Commonwealth agencies and their employees. In this role she actively advised OAG leadership on civil litigation matters and coordinated with the Governor’s Office of General Counsel and the various Commonwealth agencies to facilitate the defense of civil actions, manage risk, and develop strategies to prevent litigation. During her 8 years with the OAG, she personally served as trial counsel for the Attorney General; the Governor; the Commonwealth; and various Commonwealth agencies, officials, and employees, often handling high-profile matters with statewide importance. Prior to entering Commonwealth service, Karen practiced in the area of civil litigation at private law firms and for a global property and casualty insurer.

Karen is a graduate of Duquesne University where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration in 1998 and a J.D. in 2001. Throughout her career, Karen has litigated cases in the majority of Pennsylvania’s state, federal, and appellate courts. She is also admitted to practice law in Ohio and West Virginia.

Why did you pursue a career in higher education?

While some of my best memories (and friends) stem from my college and law school years, a career in higher education was never really on my radar. When I was in law school, I always envisioned my career path leading to a general counsel role but, upon graduating, I fell into litigation and, later, public service. The Chief Counsel role presented a unique and exciting opportunity to assume a general counsel role while continuing a career in public service.

What first sparked your interest in LAW?

I wanted to be a lawyer before I even knew what that meant. My dad is a lawyer and retired judge so I have been around the law my entire life. I would often take time during school breaks to observe hearings in my dad’s courtroom and I have fond memories of my cousin and I playing in his courtroom – drawing pictures on the evidence chalkboard and holding custody hearings for our Cabbage Patch Kids – when court was not in session. While I pursued a business degree in college, I never considered a career outside the legal profession.

Years of work AS AN ATTORNEY later, what keeps you motivated?

My favorite part of being a litigator has always been helping my clients through a difficult time. I love the challenge of assessing a problem and developing a strategy to solve it. As I have moved into more administrative legal roles, I continue to be motivated by helping my clients solve problems. Moving from a single set of case facts to big-picture issues makes the puzzle more complex and allows for more creativity in developing a strategy to solve it.

What are your top priorities as CHIEF COUNSEL?

My top priority is to ensure that the Office of Chief Counsel and Offices of University Legal Counsel are providing the highest quality legal advice to the System and universities in the most efficient way possible. The Office of Chief Counsel and Offices of University Legal Counsel are strategic partners who can actively assist the System and universities in meeting their goals.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

My husband and son are my biggest passions in life. I love seeing the world through my son’s eyes and watching him navigate his way through life as he grows. In my spare time I enjoy reading, jigsaw puzzles, the beach, meandering through craft shows, and Pittsburgh sports.

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Denise Pearson
Vice Chancellor, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

Dr. Denise Pearson joined the State System in August 2020 with three decades of experience in the classroom and as campus leader, including having served as assistant provost of faculty affairs and then interim dean/senior associate dean of the School of Education and Human Performance at Winston-Salem State University and associate academic dean at the University of Denver. She previously served as vice president for academic affairs and equity initiatives at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO).

Dr. Pearson earned her Ph.D. in administration and supervision of education from Marquette University and master's degrees in conflict resolution from the University of Denver and educational administration from Concordia University. Her undergraduate studies were at the State University of New York at Delhi and Pace University.

Here is a list of readings that were useful over the many months I collaborated with campus leaders to develop the systemwide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Priorities affirmed by the Board of Governors.

Why did you pursue a career in higher education?

I was pursuing a career in human resources management in New York during my early years as a mother in the early 1980s. When my family relocated to Wisconsin in the late 1980s, I accepted an opportunity to teach courses at a local college, in a certificate program for adult learners (I only had an undergraduate degree in Human Services at the time). It wasn't long before I was able to see the impact I could have on students and higher education in general and I never resumed plans to become a HR executive. I went on and completed my M.S., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Education, Conflict Resolution, and Education Administration & Supervision with an emphasis in higher education. During my career, I have worked at diverse institutional types – including public, private, community college, HBCU, urban, suburban, and faith-based, and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of education, communication, and conflict resolution. Some of my most rewarding professional experiences have happened in the classroom (including online), especially those when I can help students develop their sense of belonging and contribution to the learning environment. I couldn't imagine a better career choice.

What first sparked your interest in educational equity and policy?

The complexity of the higher education ecosystem, in addition to the clear connection between policy and practice, piqued my interest in educational equity and policy. During my tenure at Winston-Salem State University (one of the University of North Carolina's 16 institutions) I had the opportunity to observe how policy enables practice as well as how practice informs policy – ideally in ways that have positive impacts on student outcomes. When I joined State Higher Education Executive Officers in 2016, I recognized that such synergy could not be assumed and that strategic intentionality was required. Joining SHEEO also gave me unique opportunities to explore and advocate for stronger collaborations between policy makers and institutions of higher education, especially around critical policy areas such as teacher preparation, dual enrollment, and postsecondary education for incarcerated populations. Acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to apply an equity lens to policy and practice discussions has increased my effectiveness to advocate for groups historically excluded from American higher education. I value the effort required for intentional and meaningful deliberations that place equity at the center.

Years of work in higher education later, what keeps you motivated?

I stay motivated because of my unwavering belief in the power of education. The zip code where someone is born should not be the deciding factor on the educational opportunities they are afforded or the heights they can reach in life. I believe in the power of education to improve the human condition, support economic development, increase community and civic engagement, transform lives of incarcerated populations, and disrupt generational poverty. State systems of higher education are uniquely positioned to collaborate with a diversity of stakeholders in search of scalable and sustainable solutions to so many societal problems. I am eager to serve as Vice Chancellor and Chief DE&I Officer in search of solutions to persistent challenges to educational equity. A career in higher education is a privilege that carries tremendous responsibility, which I do not take lightly. Albeit serious, that does not mean the work can't be fun too.

What are your priorities for the first few months of your new job?

My immediate priorities include visiting each campus and meeting leadership, faculty, staff, and students. These visits will be part of my plan to learn about how diversity, equity, and inclusion is positioned on each campus and how we can partner to create and advance a shared DE&I agenda. Essentially, I want to learn how I can support campus leadership in their efforts to foster environments that allow students, faculty, and staff to thrive. The first few months will focus on learning to inform planning.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I am passionate about my health. I made the decision more than a decade ago to consume a plant-based diet and am always looking for ways to expand my knowledge and practice of veganism (although I haven't given up my leather shoes or purses yet). My favorite vegan cuisines are Afro-Cuban, Indian, and Mediterranean. I have three lovely sons who bring me great joy. I also have a 2 ½ year old granddaughter. Family time is precious especially since all my children live in Colorado, and I always look forward to the times we get together. Reading is a way for me to escape and expand my mind. I enjoy reading (Audible included) about a wide range of topics – education, public policy, the environment, culture, health, and even a good love story.