Cromwell named CSL Associate Director of Administration

The Coordinated Science Lab has named Karen Cromwell as Associate Director of Administration, effective May 1. Cromwell will replace Elizabeth Dennison, who is retiring at the end of April.

Cromwell is currently Director of Business Operations in CSL, a position she has held since 2007. In that role, she worked closely with faculty, staff, and administrators in CSL and its initiatives, centers and institutes, as well as in the College of Engineering. She helped provide business guidance for new initiatives, such as the Advanced Digital Sciences Center and the National Center for Professional & Research Ethics, and created business policy and strategy for the CSL research family.

“We are committed to growing and strengthening the CSL organization and I am confident that Karen is the right person to help lead those efforts,” said Klara Nahrstedt, CSL Director and the Ralph and Catherine Fisher Professor of Computer Science. “She brings rich experience in business and strategic planning, qualities that are increasingly important as the academic research landscape continues to evolve. I am delighted to have her onboard in this capacity."

Cromwell is an alumna of Illinois. She came on board the University staff after graduating in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. Prior to joining CSL, she worked in the business offices of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. She earned a master’s in business administration in 2003 and is a certified public accountant.

In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the lab, assisting in business development activities, and directing facility use and maintenance, among other duties.

"I’m thankful for the guidance Beth has provided me since starting at CSL, and am honored to accept this opportunity to continue to help CSL and its institutes grow," Cromwell said.