After a national search, Penn State’s University’s Board of Trustees appointed a new vice president and general counsel during a special meeting on Aug. 15.
Tabitha R. Oman, who has been Penn State’s chief ethics and compliance officer since March 2022, was selected for the role as Penn State’s top attorney. Her appointment will take effect on Monday.
She will succeed the retiring Frank Guadagnino, who has served as interim general counsel since October, when Stephen Dunham stepped down after 10 years in the role.
Oman said she was honored to be appointed to the position.
“During my tenure as Penn State’s chief ethics and compliance officer, I have had the opportunity to partner with staff, faculty and administrators on key ethics and compliance initiatives,” she said in a statement. “In my new role, I will strive to broaden and deepen those partnerships so that the Office of General Counsel remains a collaborative problem-solver, delivering the highest-quality legal counsel.”
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudis said Oman “will unquestionably continue to steer the university in a responsible and ethical manner,” through her expertise and counsel.
“Tabitha is a highly respected attorney who understands Penn State and the complex issues facing not just our university but all of higher education,” Bendapudi said. ”Tabitha’s strategic thinking, prudent advice and collaborative nature will benefit Penn State significantly in the years to come.”
As general counsel, Oman will serve as Penn State’s chief legal officer, providing legal expertise and counsel for all facets of the university, including research, education and service, athletics and health care operations, at all campuses.
Oman will report directly to the president and the Board of Trustees, and will also serve as a senior adviser and member of the President’s Council. She will lead the Office of General Counsel, which oversees all university legal affairs supports the Board of Trustees, president, administration and faculty and staff in their official capacities for Penn State-related matters.
Other responsibilities include Oman having leadership oversight of a new chief ethics and compliance officer and the Office of Ethics and Compliance.
Over her nearly 30-year career, Oman has served in a variety of roles, including corporate and criminal law, government and foreign affairs. Prior to her time at Penn State, Oman was vice president, deputy general counsel and chief compliance officer at Axalta Coating Systems, where she led the company’s compliance and ethics, corporate affairs, and environmental, social and governance efforts.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a juris doctor degree from George Washington University Law School. She is a member of the bar in both Pennsylvania and New York.
