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1. What is your role in the College of Education?
I am the Director of Research Program Development and Grants, supporting the College of Education’s broad research initiatives, post-award financial management and compliance for externally sponsored funds; acting as the post-award contact for the College to all on-campus partners and external sponsor contacts; provide training and professional development opportunities to College staff.
2. How long have you worked at Auburn?
19 years – I have held positions as Accountant (Chemical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering); Contract & Grants Specialist (The Environmental Institute and the Food Systems Institute, College of Ag); Accounting Manager (Contracts & Grants Accounting), and now in the College of Education for almost one full year.
3. What are some new initiatives you are working on now?
I am currently working with our IT group on making research data available in a dashboard format that is user friendly and provides ongoing updates for our unit leaders and College leadership. I am also working on training documentation to provide a quick reference resource for consistent financial management.
4. What is a part of your job you are especially proud of?
I truly enjoy the training and professional development aspect of the positions I have held at AU. While some of the opportunities have been more defined tasks, the organic opportunities to work with others to help them to grow their understanding of this complex world have been as much or even more rewarding. There are rewards that come with assisting others in their professional growth and seeing their excitement and satisfaction when they understand or have “lightbulb” moments. I am a big proponent of understanding the “why” behind what we do each day. If we don’t understand the “why”, I don’t think we fully understand our role/task at hand. Helping others see the big picture and understand the “why” behind what they do each day is fulfilling. I am proud of the opportunities I have had to be a mentor and to potentially help others.
5. What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have Voluntary Nystagmus which is the ability to make my eyes move very rapidly. This is the same response we all have involuntarily during REM sleep.
