Fresno State’s CalStateTEACH faculty mentor, Karen Ward, passed away on March 5, in a car accident. Our hearts are with the Ward family, friends, and the entire Fresno State and CalStateTEACH community.

Ward worked as a faculty mentor with CalStateTEACH serving students in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties and has been with CalStateTEACH since 2016.

She played an integral role in the community, holding multiple positions within Clovis Unified School District, from elementary teacher to technology director. She spent many years as an education consultant for Fresno State’s John D. Welty Center for Educational Policy and Leadership. Ward also worked with Pivot Learning Partners for over 15 years as a coach/consultant to school districts and secondary school sites providing direction for programs supporting English-learners.

Aside from her many professional accomplishments, she is a dearly loved member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints community. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to a large caring family.

Memorial service information will be shared once received. Employees needing support can contact Fresno State’s Employee Assistance Program.