UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Rashonda Harris has been announced as the new assistant vice president for Research, post-award contractual compliance. Harris will report to the associate vice president for Research and director of sponsored programs in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). The primary purpose of this position is to serve the Penn State research administration community with a particular focus on post-award contractual compliance.
“We are eager for Rashonda to join the team in this critical role, especially as we grow our research enterprise,” said Lora Weiss, senior vice president for research. “This is increasingly important amid the multitude of additional federal compliance requirements that are part of our landscape as a land-grant university.”
Harris will coordinate with the Office of the Corporate Controller and the Office of Internal Audit to respond to emerging compliance needs and to implement best practices across all business areas. She also will work closely with the Office of Research Information Systems to identify opportunities for increasing the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of Penn State systems. Harris will support OSP's ongoing efforts to minimize and mitigate delinquent reporting and oversee the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research's (OSVPR) financial reporting obligations (e.g., the Annual Report of Research Activity and the Higher Education Research and Development survey).
“We are thrilled to have Rashonda join the OSVPR team to expand our competencies in compliance and related areas,” stated John Hanold, associate vice president for Research and director of sponsored programs. “Her role is critical for the ongoing management of our post-award contractual obligations, and her background brings much experience in these areas.”
Harris is an accomplished leader with more than 20 years of experience in research administration. She is a national expert in financial research administration specializing in post-award, compliance, and audit and has served as a trainer and educator nationwide. Harris is an adjunct faculty member teaching in the Johns Hopkins Masters for Research Administration Program. Harris has a bachelor’s degree in human resource management, with a minor in information systems, and a certification in human resource management from Temple University, where she also earned her master of business administration. She will receive her doctorate of education in learning and organizational change this winter from Baylor University and is also a certified research administrator. She is a board member of Temple University’s Black Alumni Association, a devout volunteer, and a DEI champion.