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Research Support Council (RSC)

Who We Are

The Research Support Council (RSC) is the research administration staff component of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation research committees. Made up of representatives from the Office of Research and Innovation’s SPARCS, the Office of Finance’s Contracts and Grants, college research offices, departments and centers and institutes, we work to communicate and clarify both external and internal research policy and address research education needs.

Mission

To meet the requirements of faculty, the university, sponsors and administrative personnel through effective and cooperative leadership in implementing sponsored research activities, training, and continuous improvement in practices and processes.

Vision

To foster a professional body of administrative personnel who work together to facilitate sponsored activities while protecting the interests of faculty, the university and sponsors.

We seek to proactively foster professionalism by ensuring effective leadership, training, cooperation and communication for all those involved in research and its administration aimed at the continuous improvement of processes and practices, from proposal preparation through final payment and archiving.

Goals

We actively and continually evaluate progress toward the following goals:

  • Foster professionalism through the Research Administration Program Certification and the National Certified Research Administrator (CRA) support programs,
  • Foster cooperation with faculty, college and university research offices, centers, institutes and laboratories, campus organizational units, and sponsors to support sponsored activities, and
  • Provide a mechanism to facilitate effective and efficient communications.

Executive Committee

The RSC Executive Committee is comprised of college research office directors, the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Director of Contracts and Grants, the Director of Research Education and Training, and other central office representatives.

We strive to promote excellence in our profession and advocate for and provide input to research administration across campus. In addition, we work to solve systemic customer service problems and establish or implement methods and procedures to overcome industry-specific hurdles.

Leadership

  • Chair: Missy Thomas, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Co-Chair: Nick Thorpe, College of Education
  • Communications Manager: Sofia Colón, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Holly Lipkovich, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2021 – 2023
  • Ginny Moser, Integrated Support Services Center (ISSC), 2019 – 2021
  • Kina Morgan, Wilson College of Textiles, 2017 – 2019
  • Tish Attayek, College of Education, 2015 – 2017
  • Brian Thomas, Poole College of Management, 2013 – 2015
  • Rory Loycano, College of Natural Resources, 2011 – 2013
  • Patrick Hayes, College of Engineering, Years: 2009 – 2011
  • Carolyn Bunn (retired), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2007 – 2009 (Inaugural Chair)

RSC-Exec Members and Values

  • Cherie Anderson, Director of College Research Administration, College of Natural Resources
  • Joyce Christian, Director of Research Development, College of Education
  • Kathleen Bradley-Lockhart, Senior Fiscal Manager, Office of Contracts and Grants
  • Sofia Colón, Research Program Specialist (advisory group manager), Research Operations and Communications
  • Ginger Burks Draughon, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Office of Research and Innovation
  • Jennifer Clark, Director of Research Administration, Wilson College of Textiles
  • Kevin Schroeder, Interim Director of Sponsored Programs, Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS)
  • Genevieve Garland, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Research Operations, Research Development and Operations
  • Patrick Hayes, Director of Research Administration, College of Engineering
  • Laura Kroeger, Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, Research Operations and Communications
  • Jeneal Leone, Director of Research Administration, College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Holly Lipkovich, Director of Research Administration, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Georgia Main, Director of Research Administration, College of Sciences
  • Mary Millsaps, Director of Research Compliance, Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS)
  • Ginny Moser, Regional Director of Research Administration, Integrated Support Services Center (ISSC)
  • Kyle Mullaney, Director of Research Education and Training, Research Operations and Communications
  • Pradip Pramanik, Director, Proposal Development Unit
  • Stefanie Saunders, Associate Director of Sponsored Programs, Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS)
  • Vacant, Director of Research Administration, College of Design
  • Sherrie Settle, Associate Vice Chancellor, Sponsored Programs and Regulatory Compliance Services (SPARCS)
  • Brian Thomas, Director of Research Development and Administration, Poole College of Management
  • Missy Thomas, Director of Research and Center Administration, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Nick Thorpe, Director of Research Management, College of Education
  • Justo Torres, Director, Office of Contracts and Grants

The research administration community serves customers at multiple levels, both internal and external. We desire to promote and exemplify a sustainable, ongoing course of excellence, identifying these core values as key to our mission:

  • Excellent Service: Provide quality (knowledgeable) and timely assistance to our customers in a friendly and professional manner.
  • Teamwork: Take every opportunity to assist team members (at every level) to achieve a quality product (both pre- and post-award).
  • Leadership: Take initiative to provide a competent and timely product with integrity and respect, to take pride in the product from the idea to final report.
  • Value and Respect: Treat customers and colleagues with respect.
  • Creativity: Exhibit creativity and flexibility in achieving the goals of the team and our customers.