Fairmont State University welcomes Vice President for Human and Legal Affairs and General Counsel

Fairmont State is proud to announce Stephanie Harrod has been named the University’s Vice President for Human and Legal Affairs and General Counsel. Harrod began her tenure at Fairmont State on Monday, April 18. 

In this position, Harrod serves as a member of the executive leadership team while leading the Legal, Human Resources and Compliance Departments at the University. As the Vice President of Human and Legal Affairs, she will work to establish policies and procedures for the implementation of all human resource functions, and provide vision and leadership to the Human Resources department that is strategic, proactive, operationally efficient, effective and impactful. Additionally, as the University’s General Counsel, Harrod will provide legal advice and consultation to the Board of Governors, University President and the Administration and University academic and non-academic offices.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the Falcon Family,” Harrod said. “I look forward to using my broad spectrum of experience and skills to serve the campus community.”

Harrod brings more than a decade of experience to the position from several industries and business settings. Prior to practicing law, she worked in accounting and finance. Harrod most recently served as an Associate Attorney at Josephson Law Offices in Anchorage, Alaska. She also held several positions concurrently at Alaska Pacific University including Compliance and Risk Officer and Title IX Coordinator, Adjunct Instructor of Business Law, among others.

Harrod was a member of APU’s executive leadership team while serving as the institution’s Compliance and Risk Officer. During her tenure at APU, Harrod guided campus repairs following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, improved building access and safety at the university, assisted in the development of the institution’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and the Campus Reopening Plan and revised the university’s policies following regulatory changes.

“Stephanie brings extensive experience to the position. She has not only practiced law, but she has also worked in several industries, including serving in several capacities in higher education,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin. “I’m confident her expertise and guidance will serve our campus community well, as we continue to serve our communities and educate the next generation of citizen leaders. We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie into our Falcon Family.”

Harrod continues to serve the Alaska Bar Association and belongs to four of its committees including continuing legal education, fair and impartial courts, fee arbitration and disciplinary. While residing in Alaska, she volunteered regularly by proctoring the bar exam and providing pro bono legal advice at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legal Clinic.

Harrod possesses a Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She received her bachelor’s degree in foreign language with an emphasis in business from the University of Idaho.

Stephanie HarrodVice President for Human and Legal Affairs and General CounselMirta Martin