Trujillo’s legacy lives on in future teachers

Karen Trujillo was known by many in the Las Cruces and NMSU communities for her commitment and dedication to students and their education. 

Trujillo impacted many throughout her 25-year career in education. She graduated a proud Aggie, earning three degrees from NMSU, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, a master’s degree in mathematics and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. She served in a multitude of roles including math teacher, principal, college professor, researcher, associate dean, state education secretary and superintendent of the Las Cruces Public Schools. She also played an important role in the establishment of the Educators Rising program in New Mexico. 

“Karen exemplified what it means to truly advocate for children and teachers,” says Wanda Bulger-Tamez, director of the STEM Outreach Center. “She did not just give lip service to how to improve education, she took action to elevate the teaching profession and support teachers by providing resources and support needed to do their jobs well.” 

The Dr. Karen Trujillo Scholarship Fund was established at NMSU by her family after Trujillo’s passing in February 2021. Keeping with the spirit of Trujillo’s mission, the scholarship was established to support the education of aspiring teachers. 

“She also helped high school students see teaching as a valuable and meaningful profession that is worthwhile to pursue by bringing Educators Rising clubs to our state,” Bulger-Tamez says. 

Trujillo advocated for the establishment of Educators Rising in New Mexico. Educators Rising teaches students valuable lessons while creating a pathway from student to teacher. This program is available for students to start while in high school, continue through their collegiate education and go straight to the professional workforce. 

“Karen paid attention to and researched the needs of our community and creatively and thoughtfully worked to find solutions with love and care for everyone in her path,” Bulger-Tamez says. 

Trujillo was the founder of Southwest Outreach Academic Research at NMSU, a program for students, both graduate and undergraduate, to get experience in conducting research. 

In addition, Trujillo was part of a team of NMSU game designers who created Math Snacks, a project dedicated to showcasing math in a creative and more accessible way for students to supplement classroom instruction. 

In March 2021, Trujillo was selected as the New Mexico honoree for USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, for her efforts to keep students learning through the pandemic. 

Trujillo’s legacy will live on in each of the students she impacted and aid in the shaping of future educators.