Administration

Penn State administrator named interim vice president for human resources

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State announced today (June 21) that Mary Beahm has been named the interim vice president for human resources. Beahm, currently the associate vice president for human resources, will begin her new appointment Aug. 1.

Beahm succeeds Susan Basso, who will leave Penn State for a position as senior vice president for talent, culture and human resources at Ohio State University, effective July 31. Beahm will serve as interim vice president while a national search for Basso’s replacement continues.   

“For nearly a decade, Mary has been a hard-working and respected member of the Penn State community, with expertise in managing human resources,” said David Gray, senior vice president for finance and business at Penn State. “She has been at the forefront of the University’s efforts to streamline and modernize Penn State’s human resources organization and offerings for staff and faculty. We are obviously grateful for Susan Basso’s dedication and accomplishments over the years, and I am confident Mary will bring valuable ideas, experiences and direction to this position in the interim.”

At Penn State, Beahm has provided leadership for various University-wide human resources-related initiatives, including a complete rewrite of Penn State’s background check program, the University’s execution of the Affordable Care Act, and the adoption of the multi-year Human Resources Business Process Transformation project, which includes serving on the governance body for the implementation of Workday, the University’s new human capital management system.

In her current role, she is responsible for the new HR shared services center; project management; and information technology, which includes new technology solutions, cost-reduction initiatives, and process streamlining in the Office of Human Resources (OHR). Before serving as associate vice president for human resources, Beahm was senior director for recruitment and compensation in OHR.

In 2008, Beahm was hired as a senior project manager to oversee the University’s conversion to a new staff position evaluation system, in which she helped streamline job profiles and descriptions across 23 Penn State campuses.

Before joining the University, Beahm served as corporate vice president for human resources at C-COR Inc., a telecommunications company, and as manager of human resources operations at Westinghouse Electric Corp.

For her contributions to the Commonwealth and its citizens, Beahm was recognized with a Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business Award by the governor of Pennsylvania. In 2014, she was named Penn State’s Staff Excellence Award winner for her team spirit and managerial excellence in service to the University. She also is the recipient of a College of Health and Human Development Alumni Award.

Beahm has volunteered as a mentor for the College of Health and Human Development and has been involved with the Centre County YMCA, United Way, and Leadership Centre County. She is a member of the College and University Professionals Association and the Society for Human Resources Management. 

Beahm earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in human development, individual and family studies, both from Penn State.

Mary Beahm, currently the associate vice president for human resources at Penn State, will begin her appointment as interim vice president for human resources on Aug. 1.  Credit: Tyler AmyAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated June 21, 2017