College of Health and Human Development

Sarah serves the PSU Research Administration community by leading a team of Negotiators who are each responsible for diverse negotiation portfolios. She provides training and guidance to assist Negotiators with negotiating terms and conditions appropriate for an educational institution.  In addition to her management responsibilities, she also has her own negotiation portfolio.

Sarah serves as Chair of the Templates Committee, which is responsible for maintaining and updating PSU’s library of industry templates. She also has an extensive background in FAR Contracts and serves on Penn State’s FAR Committee, assisting with maintaining PSU’s FAR Matrix. Additionally, she is responsible for managing the bi-weekly OSP Negotiator Trainings. Sarah has also presented at the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) and is a Penn State ACES Instructor.

Sarah began her career in negotiation in 2004 as a Contract Specialist working with the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2007, she came to Penn State as a Subcontracts Administrator in Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory, and in 2010 accepted a position as Negotiator in the Office of Sponsored Programs. Sarah was subsequently promoted to Senior Negotiator and then Associate Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs in 2021.

Sarah also negotiates the following special agreements:

• PLCB Wine and Beer Grants (multiple sponsors)

Kristen serves the Penn State research community with a particular focus on data acquisition. She works with Penn State faculty and OSP contracting officers to coordinate review of data use agreements for sponsored research as well as reviewing contracts for data security compliance. Kristen also reviews RFPs, processes gifts and grants, and negotiates contracts, subawards and modifications thereto.

Prior to working in the Office of Sponsored Programs, Kristen held roles such as the Director of Grants for a non-profit agency and also worked for the Executive Office of the President in the White House Press Office under the Obama-Biden Administration. Kristen holds an associate’s degree in Management Information Systems and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lock Haven University. Kristen also holds both a Master's certificate in Human Resource Management and a Master's degree in Public Administration from The Pennsylvania State University.

• Kristen negotiates the following:
  • Data Use Agreements (A-E)
  • Data Security Reviews (DUA & Non-DUA)

Jamey began her career in OSP in 2019 as a Processor following completion of a research administration internship. She was promoted to Junior Negotiator in 2022 and to a Contracting Officer in 2023. In this role she reviews RFPs, processes gifts and grants, and negotiates contracts, subawards, and modifications thereto. Prior to working in the Office of Sponsored Programs, Jamey held positions in business management and banking.

Jamey also negotiates the following special agreements:

• Field Trial Agreements (AG)

As a Data Security Specialist, Christian works with Penn State faculty and OSP contracting officers to coordinate review of data use agreements for sponsored research as well as reviewing contracts for data security compliance. Christian also reviews RFP, processes gifts and grants, and negotiates contracts, subawards, and modifications thereto.

Prior to working in the Office of Sponsored Programs, Christian served as a contract specialist with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support in Philadelphia where he supported military personnel worldwide through the procurement of subsistence items and IT services for the entire DLA enterprise.

Christian holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a J.D. from Michigan State University.

• Christian negotiates the following:
  • Data Use Agreements (M-R)
  • Data Security Reviews (DUA & Non-DUA)

As a Contracting Officer, Kelly is responsible for reviewing requests for proposals, processing gifts and grants, and negotiating contracts, subawards, and modifications thereto. Kelly also serves as a member of the Subaward Committee.

Kelly joined Penn State’s Office of Sponsored Programs in 2021 with pre- and post-award research administration experience at the college level. Prior to her career in research administration, Kelly gained over thirteen years of experience in legal, compliance, and internal audit roles in the casino industry.

Kelly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Stockton University, as well as Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor Degrees from Rutgers University-Camden.

Kelly negotiates subawards for the following units:

• Behrend College
• Capital College
• EMS (I-Z)
• Science

As Export Specialist, Michael works with Penn State faculty and OSP contracting officers to coordinate export reviews for sponsored research. Michael also reviews RFPs, processes gifts and grants, and negotiates contracts, subawards, and modifications thereto.

Prior to working in the Office of Sponsored Programs, Michael worked as a Financial Assistant and Proposal and Award Generalist in the College of Education. Prior to that, he worked in the public sector as an RF Engineer/Project Manager, working with the FCC and other federal, state, and local agencies.

• Mike also negotiates the following special agreements:
  • Tobacco Settlement Funds (PA Dept. of Health) CURE
  • Vendor/Portal Terms, Reps & Certs  (eRA systems)

La’retta joined OSP in 2022 as a Contracting Officer. She reviews RFPs, processes gifts and grants, and negotiates contracts, non-disclosure agreements, subawards, and modifications thereto.

La’retta holds an MBA from Le Moyne College and a BA in Criminology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Minor in Philosophy. La’retta has over 15 years experience with grants management.

• La'retta prepares Core Facilty ARSO's for the following business areas:
  • Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
  • Institutes of Energy and the Environment  (IEE)
  • Materials Research Institute (MRI)

• La'retta also negotiates the following special agreements:
  • Membership Agreements (Business Admin)
  • SHAP Agreements (AG)