Karen Paullet B’02, M’05, D’09 has spent more than two decades at Robert Morris University, first as a student earning three degrees in the Computer Information Systems program and now as a faculty member for nearly 15 years.
As an undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral student, Karen experienced RMU’s close-knit academic environment firsthand. The faculty mentorship she received throughout her academic journey shaped not only her career, but also the way she approaches teaching and student support today.
Karen’s office is a familiar gathering place for students seeking guidance, encouragement, or simply a moment to recharge. She places students at the center of her work and values both their technical skill and their ability to think critically in a technology-driven world. “To me, teaching the students is first... all the time,” she says. Teaching, for Karen, has always been about preparing students for real-world challenges and helping them see their own potential.
Karen’s commitment to RMU extends beyond the classroom. Her decision to support the University through legacy giving is deeply personal and rooted in family. She was inspired by her brother, Craig, whose life was defined by generosity and compassion. Despite living with a rare immune deficiency and enduring frequent hospitalizations, Craig remained committed to helping others whenever he could.
“While he was sick and could barely take care of himself, one of his employees had their house burn down—and he went out and still helped them,” Karen recalls. “When he died, I started the fund, figuring that's a way for him to keep giving.”
After his passing, Karen established a fund in his honor, the Craig Paullet Making a Difference Scholarship Fund, creating a way for his spirit of giving to continue. In doing so, she also recognized a need within her own academic community. As both a faculty member and a three-time alumna of the CIS program, Karen saw an opportunity to support students who are academically strong but may face financial barriers to completing their education.
Through a simple initiative known as the “Penny Fund,” she encourages students to contribute spare change throughout the year, reinforcing the idea that philanthropy is about participation and purpose, not the size of a gift. Over time, those small contributions add up, benefiting students and strengthening the culture of giving within the CIS program.
At the heart of Karen’s philanthropy is a belief that education changes lives and that it is important to remember where you came from. Through her legacy gift, she hopes to expand access to RMU for future CIS students and ultimately grow the fund into a full scholarship. Her goal is to help students who are motivated and capable but may not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue their degree.
Karen is honoring her brother’s legacy, investing in her students, and ensuring that the support she once received at RMU continues for future generations. Her commitment reflects the lasting impact of an RMU education and the power of giving back to the place that helped shape who she is today.