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K-State Today

March 3, 2015

K-State research administrators receive certification

Submitted by Paul Lowe

The Research Administrators Certification Council recently released the names of research administrators who sat for and passed examination to be certified research administrators. K-State was well represented in this round of testing as five additional K-State research administration professionals achieved certification, including Katie Small, manager, contract negotiations, preaward services, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; Adassa Roe, grants and contracts specialist, preaward services, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; Laura Hohenbary, fiscal analyst, sponsored programs accounting, Division of Financial Services; and Bailey Starns and Lori Garwick, grant specialists in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Research Administrators Certification Council was formed in 1993 as an independent nonprofit organization that develops and administers a voluntary program for the certification of individuals who meet the requirements established by the council. The council is composed of volunteer individuals consisting of representatives from a variety of settings, including institutions of higher education, hospitals, private businesses, research institutes and foundations, governmental organizations, national professional organizations, and private educational and research consulting firms who are committed to the continuing improvement of the research administration profession and in assisting in the education and training of individuals who wish to become proficient in this field.

The council certifies that an individual, through experience and testing, has the fundamental knowledge necessary to be a professional research or sponsored programs administrator. Through the deployment of an expansive body of knowledge and the certification process, the council provides those entering the field with a training guide and a standard by which they can measure themselves as professionals.

K-State's newest certified research administrators join an existing cadre of experienced certified research administrators at K-State who have had continuous certification as far back as 1996. In fact, of the 16 certified research administrators in the state of Kansas, 12 are at K-State. K-State ranks third among its peer institutions and Big 12 institutions in the number of research administration professionals who have achieved certification.

The certified research administrators certification is an international certification that focuses on all aspects of research administration, including project development and administration, research compliance, financial stewardship, legal and regulatory requirements, budget development, facility management and sponsor interface, just to name a few subjects covered by the exam. Certified research administrators must apply for recertification after five years. Recertification applicants must include information on their continued participation/employment in the field, and a list of educational activities either taken or taught, and contribute potential questions for use on a future certification examination.

Educational activities may include teaching, serving on professional journal or newsletter review boards, writing articles, serving on boards of relevant national associations, participating in workshops and seminars, as well as academic courses at an undergraduate or graduate level.

K-State's cadre of research administrators are continually seeking professional development to ensure that the requisite support and expertise is in place and available to assist the K-State community as it pursues its 2025 research goals.