Washington State University

I started working in research administration through my experience in accounting and human resources and was placed by a temp company. I fell into it, but I love it

I worked right after high school, from a car dealership, fast food, dispatch and jailer for a local county, US Forest Service and in the medical field as a admittions specialist. Then I met my furure husband. When he graduated with his teaching degree we moved to a Montana town where there was absolutely no local jobs and even if there were, no family or friends to watch my children. So I decided to do child care and became a licensed daycare operator. I applied and received my first grant for $10,000.00 which I ended up not using because we moved to a new state shortly after that. Then we moved again to another state, and we we finally made it to the Palouse region in Washington State I went to work for WSU and slowly moved my way up from an office assistant to a senior supervisor, to a fiscal tech, to a research administrator I, then 2, then 4 and now I manage a team of 12 accountants. While at WSU I took addition classes in accounting. I have benn in this position since 2016 and love the never ending challanges that research administration brings.

Just after the turn of the century, I was getting a masters degree in sociology at Lehigh University. I designed a curriculum that utilized Animal-Assisted Therapy that required IRB review. The person in the central sponsored projects office was also the IRB administrator. A few years later she remembered me when I applied for an opening in their office. I got the job and also ended up working as an administrator on that same IRB that had approved my master’s project!

I was the a Noxious Weed Program Coordinator in Washington State, and after hearing funds were pretty strapped in the program I ran, my Grant Manager friend said there was an opening at WSU and I should go for it. I hadn’t put myself out there for about 3 years, so I was pretty hesitant to apply for a huge university! But, the first time I hit the “Submit” button, I feel like I instantly held the world at my fingertips. It might sound strange, but it really was a pivotal moment for me. I didn’t get the first position I applied for, but I did get the second! A Grants and Contracts Administrator! I was thrilled! I’ve held a few different RA positions at WSU since, but I definitely like pre-award the most. RA is a great field to be in, with supportive colleagues ready to help and answer questions. I’m proud to say, while in the beginning I had imposter syndrome, I am one of those people who can (mostly!) help other RA’s now too!

I started in Sponsored Research as a Fiscal Analyst 1 and I have worked my way up to becoming a Fiscal analyst 3. From day 1 I was so happy to be working within the research community to improve not only out community but communities around the world.