UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Frank Guadagnino, vice president for administration and associate general counsel, will assume the role of interim vice president and general counsel on Oct. 1. 

Guadagnino joined Penn State in 2014 as an associate general counsel in the Office of General Counsel. In 2018 he was appointed to his current role as vice president for administration and was elected secretary of the Board of Trustees.  

“Frank’s dedication to Penn State and his institutional knowledge are unmatched, and I’m very grateful he’s taking on this important role,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “Frank has been instrumental in leading a number of key priorities and teams across Penn State for many years and will bring his thoughtful approach and keen intellect to managing the complexities and scope of this office.” 

As shared in Penn State News, Stephen Dunham, vice president and general counsel, plans to step down on Sept. 30 and will transition to a new role in the University’s Office of General Counsel through spring 2023. The University plans to conduct a national search for Dunham’s successor in 2023.  

As vice president for administration, Guadagnino reports directly to the president and is responsible for the administration of the Office of the President and Office of the Board of Trustees, as well as having oversight for the Office of Ethics and Compliance — which will be moved under the Office of General Counsel on Oct. 1 — and Veterans Affairs and Services. He serves as a senior adviser to the president and assists in the development and administration of policies and programs, while also serving as the principal senior liaison with members of the Board of Trustees, and as the secretary of the board. 

In his new role as interim vice president and general counsel, Guadagnino will continue to be a member of President's Council reporting directly to the president. 

“It’s been a true pleasure to serve Penn State’s students, faculty, staff, leaders and trustees in the role of vice president for administration,” Guadagnino said. “I look forward to continuing in a new capacity in the Office of General Counsel and to working closely with a talented and dedicated group of colleagues to help advance the University’s mission. I would like to personally thank Steve for his extraordinary contributions to the University and for being a terrific collaborator and mentor, both as client and colleague.” 

Beginning on Oct. 1, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff Michael Wade Smith will assume much of the responsibilities and portfolio of the vice president for administration. As part of this transition, Penn State does not plan to hire a new vice president for administration.  

Penn State’s Office of General Counsel oversees all legal affairs for the University, including Penn State’s campuses and the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine located in Hershey. The office’s team of attorneys provide legal advice and representation to the Board of Trustees and administration regarding all legal matters affecting the University.   

Guadagnino chairs the Facilities and Academic Unit Naming Committee and the University Policy Administration Committee and is a member of the University Faculty Senate, Campus Environment Team, Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, University Records Management Advisory Committee, Administrative Response Team, Athletics Integrity Council and Emergency Management Group. 

Prior to coming to Penn State, Guadagnino had a 30-year law career at Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh. While in private practice, Guadagnino concentrated on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, and general corporate matters. While at Reed Smith, he represented Penn State in a number of corporate matters, including the dissolution of the University’s joint venture with Geisinger. In addition to representing Penn State, he has represented clients in the financial services industry, professional sports, restaurants and manufacturers. He also served as counsel to Reed Smith in connection with many of its expansion efforts, including its expansion into the London and California markets, and with respect to various financial matters.  

Guadagnino is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar. He received his bachelor of science degree in marketing from Penn State and his juris doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he was a symposium editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review.