Biography:
Lara Jackson joined the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing in February 2025 as the Administrative and Financial Support Manager. In this role, she oversees the Commission’s financial operations, budgeting, and administrative functions, ensuring compliance with state and University policies while supporting the organization’s overall mission. With over 15 years of experience in administrative and financial positions within Penn State, Lara has extensive experience in financial management, administrative coordination, and operational efficiency.
Before joining the Commission, Lara spent 15 years at the Smeal College of Business, where she worked in the Accounting Department and subsequently the Risk Management Department. Most recently, she served as an Operations Manager in the School of Hospitality Management, where she was responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing budgets, and supervising staff.
Throughout her career at Penn State, Lara has supported multiple academic departments, research institutes, and business centers, handling financial management for multimillion-dollar budgets, staffing, scholarships, and operational coordination.
Lara holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The Pennsylvania College of Technology.