Colorado State University – Pueblo hires Nufer as new Human Resources Director 
 
      
Pueblo-  Ken Nufer, the newly named director of human resources at Colorado State University – Pueblo, brings considerable higher education experience to his role as manager of the University’s employee services and benefits function. Selected from a large pool of national candidates, Nufer will begin his duties on Monday, October 4. 
 
According to Joanne Ballard, vice president of finance and administration, Nufer impressed all the groups and individuals he spoke to during the search process, including the search committee, legal counsel, the human resources staff, the campus community, the Finance & Administration directors. She said his relaxed, yet energetic demeanor along with his ideas set him apart from the candidate pool.
 
“I am confident he is the best applicant for the position and that he will provide the leadership and credibility necessary to make the human resource function a vital contributor to the University,” said Ballard. “He is committed to working together to make sure that the students who come to this University have a great experience and that the working experiences of the staff are equally satisfying.” 
 
As director, Nufer will provide leadership to the human resources office, quality service to the campus, and interpretation and guidance to management regarding human resource policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Among his responsibilities will be compensation and classification, benefits, employee relations, employee records, employment/recruitment, professional development, and coordination of employee relations issues. 
 
Nufer attributed his enthusiasm for the new position in part to the University’s momentum. 
“I believe that CSU-Pueblo is moving in an incredibly positive direction, and I look forward to working with such dedicated faculty and staff,” he said. “CSU-Pueblo is focused on student success, which requires the effort of every single employee, and I am anxious to lead human resources forward as a strategic partner in individual and organizational achievement.”
Since 2001, Nufer has served as a human resource specialist at Pikes Peak Community College, where he worked with five southern community colleges on classification and selection, law and rule interpretation, and mediation. During his tenure there, he instituted a web-based application process and provided numerous presentations on state employment benefits and application procedures. Prior to his experience at Pikes Peak, he worked in both the human resources and student services offices at Pueblo Community College, where he received the 2000 Outstanding Classified Employee of the Year. From 1988-1992, he was an intelligence specialist with the United States Navy. 
 
Nufer earned an associate’s degree from City University in Bellevue, Wash., and a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in human resources from the University of Phoenix. He also received designation as a Professional in Human Resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute. 


Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.