By Annemarie Mountz, Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State President Rodney Erickson has formed the search committee to fill the newly created position of director of University Compliance. Tom Poole, vice president for administration, will chair the committee, and Brill Neumann Executive Search Consulting will assist in the national search.
The position is a new one for Penn State, and will carry the responsibility to coordinate and oversee the vast array of compliance issues throughout the University.
“As outlined in my March update to the Board of Trustees regarding implementation of recommendations coming out of the Freeh investigation, we’re creating this office to provide support, coordination and assistance to University-wide compliance efforts,” said Erickson. “The person in this position will have oversight of compliance with all federal, state and local laws, as well as internal policies and external organization policies, while encouraging the highest ethical standards of conduct for those who represent the University and act on its behalf.”
The director will report to the senior vice president for finance and business and the audit, risk, legal and compliance committee of the Board of Trustees.
“This reporting structure, which is identical to that of the Office of Internal Audit, gives the compliance director full, free and unrestricted access to the president of the University and the Board of Trustees,” said Poole.
The director will be responsible for management of the day-to-day operation of institutional compliance, including but not limited to:
— Coordinating University-wide compliance activities.
— Establishing and leading a University-wide Compliance Council consisting of employees responsible for regulatory and compliance issues.
— Monitoring the performance of compliance efforts and related activities on a continuing basis, identifying appropriate steps to improve its effectiveness.
— Consulting with general counsel as needed to resolve difficult legal compliance issues.
— Responding to alleged violations of compliance mandates by evaluating or recommending the initiation of investigative procedures, and developing and overseeing systems for handling of violations.
— Identifying potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk.
— Working with relevant departments and others as appropriate to develop an effective compliance-training program.
The preferred candidate will have experience leading and managing day-to-day operations in a large, complex and highly decentralized setting; understanding of or experience with health systems and academic medical centers; experience in supporting governing boards, and in working with committees or subgroups on matters of compliance; interaction with or understanding of intercollegiate athletics; knowledge of higher education practices, regulations, compliance and accrediting agencies; and 10 to 15 years of experience working in an education, government or corporate compliance role. A baccalaureate degree is required, with advanced degree preferred.
Applications and nominations should be submitted to Elizabeth Adkins Neumann at pennstatecompliance@brillneumann.com or Tom Poole at tgp1@psu.edu and will be accepted until the position is filled.
Members of the search committee are:
— Mary G. Beahm, director, recruitment and compensation;
— Wanika B. Fisher, president, Graduate Student Association;
— Preston C. Green III, professor of education and law and Harry L. Batschelet II chair of educational administration;
— Daniel P. Heist, director, Office of Internal Audit;
— Nina G. Jablonski, distinguished professor of anthropology and member of the University Faculty Senate Committee on Research;
— Gary W. Langsdale, University risk officer;
— John E. May, chief compliance officer, Penn State Hershey Medical Center;
— Thomas G. Poole, vice president for administration (chair);
— Karen L. Schultz, University Registrar;
— Matthew A. Stolberg, associate athletic director for compliance and student-athlete services;
— Nancy A. Tuana DuPont/Class of 1949 professor of philosophy and director, Rock Ethics Institute; and
— Candice Yekel, director, Office for Research Protections.