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Office of Research and Innovation

Improving Research Infrastructure

Three task forces have been charged by Chancellor Woodson to identify the most pressing issues impacting research administration and support services (RASS) at NC State.

Where We Are Now

On Nov. 6, Chancellor Randy Woodson sent a 3D Memo announcing nine pilot projects to improve research infrastructure, which will be implemented in FY 2025.

Recognizing the importance of fostering healthy growth and sustainable support, Chancellor Woodson also created an executive committee of top university leaders to directly oversee this effort and ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement by developing key performance measures.

Permanent evaluation tools to gather ongoing feedback from key constituencies will also be put in place.

Pilot Projects Selected

How We Got Here

Three task forces charged by Chancellor Woodson — Sponsored Programs; Research Implementation; and Culture, Collaboration and Communication — gathered feedback from across the university. They worked to solicit input from a range of stakeholders, including but not limited to the Research Leadership Academy, Research Support Council and University Research Committee; all Associate Deans for Research; and the Faculty and Staff Senates.

The three task forces were ultimately asked to propose several pilot projects — spanning research administration, travel, human resources, communications and university culture — for implementation in the next fiscal year (2025). On June 30, an Executive Summary of all the proposed pilot projects was published.

Each task force submitted a report to the chancellor. These reports — which were compiled into one final report linked directly below — each identify issues and challenges in their areas of concern. They also include ideas for several potential options to address these concerns.

Read the task forces’ final report
Read the June 30 Executive Summary

Who’s Been Involved

To come up with their recommended pilot projects, each task force has sought input from diverse groups of stakeholders across the university. The task forces will continue to regularly review input received via University Research Committee or Staff Senate representatives or emailed to rass-feedback@ncsu.edu, as appropriate.

Learn more

How We Started

NC State’s research enterprise has seen enormous growth over the past decade. Year over year, the university has seen a substantial increase in sponsored research awards. While an impressive reflection on the strength of our research enterprise, this growth has posed challenges to our existing infrastructure and administrative processes; some services that support our research enterprise have not kept pace.

So we needed to consider new investments in people, processes and systems — especially with an eye toward supporting the research community and improving communications, training, the use of technology, and our organizational construct. While those who currently support research at NC State work diligently on behalf of our researchers and are committed to excellence, we must carefully review, evaluate and improve our provision of administrative services as our research enterprise continues to grow in size and complexity.

On April 9, 2024, Chancellor Randy Woodson charged three task forces in response to these concerns.

Our Three Task Forces

Each of the three task forces has been given a specific charge — and asked to make actionable recommendations for change.

Sponsored Programs

Analyze research administration and support structures and processes integrated across departments, college research offices, ORI and other central offices.

Research Implementation

Identify research-related challenges and opportunities in areas such as human resources, purchasing and travel.

Culture, Collaboration and Communication

Pinpoint strengths and challenges of our current workplace culture.

Task Force Members

Each task force has two co-chairs, who identified six to eight additional members — ensuring broad representation of both faculty and staff, as well as the many various organizations across our university.

  • Co-Chair: Alan Porch, Staff Senate Chair and Business Manager, Mathematics
  • Co-Chair: Jacob Jones, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
  • Monique Burnette, Operations Manager, SPARCS
  • Christine Epps, Asst. Director of Pre-Award, College of Natural Resources
  • Jack Foster, Director of Software Development and Integrations, Enterprise Application Services, Office of Information Technology
  • Karen Hollebrands, Assoc. Dean for Research and Innovation and Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Mathematics Education, College of Education
  • Kirk Main, Director of Information Technology and Operations, Wilson College of Textiles
  • Carolyn Mattingly, Distinguished Professor and Department Head, Biological Sciences
  • Allison Nelson, Assoc. Director of Post Award, Office of Contracts and Grants
  • Shirley Rich Patterson, Post Award Manager for Contracts and Grants, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Co-Chair: Amy Grunden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor, Plant and Microbial Biology
  • Co-Chair: Ginger Burks Draughon, Asst. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Geoff Bock, Director of Operations, NC Plant Sciences Initiative, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Joel Ducoste, Assoc. Dean of Faculty Development and Success and Professor of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Cari Furiness, Asst. Consortium Director, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Allie Geng, Manager for Finance and Business Management, College of Sciences
  • Audrey Jaeger, Executive Director of the Belk Center and Professor, Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development 
  • Maggie Merry, Asst. Dean of Finance and Administration, Poole College of Management
  • Susana Milla-Lewis, Professor, Crop and Soil Sciences
  • Sheri Renno, Asst. Dean of Human Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Co-Chair: Chris Mayhorn, Department Head, Psychology
  • Co-Chair: Ursula Hairston, Asst. Vice Chancellor for HR Strategy, University Human Resources
  • Sharon Joines, Assoc. Dean and Professor of Industrial Design, College of Design
  • Lucian Lucia, Chair of the University Research Council and Professor, Forest Biomaterials (Wood and Paper Science) and Chemistry 
  • Maria Mayorga, Goodnight Distinguished Chair in Operations Research and Director of Operations Research, Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Ginny Moser, Director of Research Administration, Integrated Support Service Center, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Marielle Pocan, Assistant for Communications, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
  • Nikki Price, Asst. Dean for Talent, Culture, and Human Resources, College of Sciences
  • Melissa Edwards Smith, Director of Education and Campus Engagement, Office for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Practice
  • Courtney Thornton, Assoc. Vice Provost for Strategy, Implementation and Communication, Institutional Strategy and Analysis
  • Laurie Williams, Goodnight Distinguished University Professor, Computer Science

Expert Advisors

The task forces will seek advice from other experts across campus as needed to understand our various processes and systems.

  • Tim Danielson, University Human Resources
  • Genevieve Garland, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Dana Harris, Office of Finance and Administration
  • Pat Hayes, College of Engineering
  • Cecile Hinson, Internal Audit Division
  • Kim Kelley, University Controller’s Office
  • Sharon Loosman, Procurement and Business Services
  • Mary Cole Pike, University Communications
  • Sherrie Settle, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Missy Thomas, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Justo Torres, Office of Contracts and Grants
  • Shawn Troxler, Office of General Counsel

NOTE: These are only the task forces’ first points of contact to access expertise; the task forces will also consult additional advisors as needed.

How to Voice Your Feedback

For this to work, we need input from everyone — faculty and staff alike. And we still welcome any feedback you may have.

There are two ways to provide feedback:

Email us