Natahsha Baumgartner has been named research operations manager for the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) at Penn State.
Previously, Baumgartner was the associate director of University Health Services (UHS) Operations. In this role, she served as the administrative lead of UHS’s Pharmacy, Emergency Medical Services, and Facilities Departments, overseeing a staff of over 120.
Baumgartner also has extensive experience in higher education operations, strategic planning, compliance, human resources, budget management, policy development, and project management. She has served in a number of key roles in Student Affairs since 2009.
An alumna of Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation, Baumgartner earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, with a focus on Community Organization and Social Administration.
Baumgartner is looking forward to working in an environment that aligns with her passion for social sciences and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the initiatives within the SSRI.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, DIY projects and spending time with her family and pets.
Baumgartner succeeds Barbara Rigg, who retired from Penn State last month after 35 years of service.