Penn State University welcomes Tabitha R. Oman as its new Vice President and General Counsel, following the endorsement of the University’s Board of Trustees on August 15th. Her appointment will take effect on August 21st. In this capacity, Oman will provide legal expertise and counsel for the university’s research enterprise, education and service activities, and athletics and health care operations.

Before joining Penn State, Oman worked at Axalta Coating Systems as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer for over seven years. There, she led compliance, corporate affairs, and sustainability for a global public company with approximately 13,000 employees, spanning 130+ countries.

Tabitha R. Oman's educational background laid the foundation for her legal expertise. She began her academic journey at the University of Colorado Boulder, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from 1991 to 1995. Oman then pursued her law studies at The George Washington University Law School, graduating with a Doctor of Law (JD) with Honors in 2006. 

Serving as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State from January 1998 to August 2006, she was involved in various postings, including roles in Haiti, the Staff of Secretaries Albright and Powell, the Refugee Affairs Bureau, and the European Law Enforcement Affairs Office. Her time in politics also included a role as a Legislative Aide in the U.S. House of Representatives and as a Campaign Services Coordinator for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

In September 2006, she joined WilmerHale as Counsel in the Litigation/Controversy Department, where she specialized in Investigations and Criminal Litigation. For nearly eight years, Oman managed complex investigations involving financial fraud, insider trading, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations. Her practice extended to advising clients on intricate international trade and money laundering issues in cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Her transition to Penn State University in March 2022 marked a new chapter in her career, where she took on the responsibilities of Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. Her diverse experience, ethical leadership, and strategic insights make Oman a fitting choice for Penn State's GC role.