Crystal Butterbaugh

Strategic and inclusive leader with 15+ years of experience in higher education administration, specializing in research operations, project management, and cross-functional team leadership. Proven success in building and scaling institutional infrastructure, aligning operational systems with equity-centered goals, and leading high-impact initiatives across grant administration, communications, and professional development. Adept at fostering partnerships, mentoring diverse teams, leading bias response coordination, and driving innovation through collaborative planning and data-informed decision-making, including the responsible leadership and integration of artificial intelligence initiatives within research administration.

Associate Director, Project Management - The Pennsylvania State University – Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Office (SIRO), Office of the Senior VP for Research (OSVPR)

(2022-06)

• Direct the central Project Management Office (PMO) of 8+ project managers supporting a $250M+ portfolio of large, complex, interdisciplinary university-wide research projects.
• Co-lead SIRO, a team of 35+ staff providing strategic proposal development, pre-award coordination, project execution, and post-award management services.
• Oversee institutional strategic planning and operational design including SOPs, training, sustainability frameworks, workload analysis, and performance metrics.
• Serve as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and liaison to Associate Deans, Directors of Research, IT partners, and central offices to align digital tools, systems, and administrative priorities.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across grants, communications, training, professional development, and bias response strategies to promote inclusive excellence.
• Mentor and supervise staff, set goals and performance expectations, and facilitate growth-oriented coaching.
• Align budget oversight with programmatic goals and identify efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities across initiatives.
• Represent the Office on university-wide task forces, advancing cross-campus strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Subject Matter Expert / Consultant – NSF GRANTED STAIRS Initiative/Grant - The Pennsylvania State University

(2025 - 2028)

• Appointed as one of the senior research administrators supporting Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) through mentorship, training, and capacity building.
• Provide guidance on pre- and post-award strategy, research compliance, and sponsor engagement (NSF, NIH, USDA, DoE).
• Foster partnerships between institutions with shared land-grant missions and UARC experience to advance equitable research infrastructure.

Senior Project/Program Manager - The Pennsylvania State University – SIRO/OSVPR

(2020-01 - 2024)

• Managed $40M+ federal/international portfolio with 20+ subawards across agencies such as DoD, USDA, and foundations.
• Directed full project lifecycle: proposal development, award management, budget oversight, subrecipient monitoring, and closeout compliance.
• Guided interpretation of FAR/DFARS and Uniform Guidance regulations, ensuring institutional alignment.

Interim Post-Award Manager - The Pennsylvania State University – SIRO/OSVPR

(2020-01 - 2021-04)

• Oversaw award management operations for IEE, MRI, and Huck institutes; led cost-share and center administration.
• Supervised subawards and reporting workflows; tracked expenditures and ensured policy compliance.
• Mentored staff and implemented operational streamlining.

Grants and Contracts Manager/ Project Manager - The Pennsylvania State University – SIRO/ Applied Biological Research Lab (ABRL)

(2017-01 - 2020-06)

• Led end-to-end grant and contract administration for federal, nonprofit, OTA, and international sponsors.
• Built ABRL's contract and project management office, drafted SOPs, trained staff, and implemented process improvements.
• Served as AOR; oversaw budgets, forecasts, compliance reviews, and sponsor communications.

Grants and Contracts Negotiator/Administrator- DOD - The Pennsylvania State University – ARL

(2009 - 2016-12)

• Managed complex pre/post-award portfolios including multi-party proposals and federal closeouts.
• Reviewed and negotiated awards with T&Cs aligned to FAR/DFARS, PSU policy, and Uniform Guidance.
• Provided regulatory and budget guidance to faculty/staff; engaged with General Counsel and Research Accounting.
• Facilitated student engagement programs and pursued professional development.

Assistant to Director, Contracts & Business Operations - The Pennsylvania State University – ARL

(2005 - 2009)

• Reviewed vendor agreements and operational policy; developed business procedures.
• Supervised and mentored wage staff in HR/payroll coordination.
• Led student enrichment activities and professional growth initiatives.

B.S.

• Business Administration (Finance Minor) - University of Phoenix – Pittsburgh, PA (2006)

Associate Degree - Business Administration (CIS & Marketing/Management) - South Hills School of Business & Technology – State College, PA (2003)

Adult Education Coursework - The Pennsylvania State University – University Park, PA (2010)