December 14, 2017
Research administrators receive certification
K-State boasts two new Certified Research Administrators, or CRAs: Effie Swanson, grants and contracts administrator, and Andra Bardas, contract negotiator in PreAwards Services. Both obtained certifications in December 2017, bringing the total number of CRAs at K-State to 17. Certification requires applicants to meet educational and experience criteria and demonstrate a mastery of the research administration body of knowledge by passing an examination. They must be recertified every five years.
K-State's CRAs help researchers with all aspects of sponsored projects, including development and administration, research compliance, legal and regulatory requirements, budget development, contract development and negotiation, facility management and sponsor interfaces and more.
Certifications are offered by the Research Administrators Certification Council, which was formed in 1993. Members of the council are committed to continuing improvement of research administration and to assisting in education and training of others. They come from a variety of settings, including higher education, private business, research institutes and foundations, governmental organizations, hospitals and national professional organizations.
K-State has more CRAs than any other Kansas institution. K-State ranks fourth among Big 12 and fourth among 2025 peer institutions in the number of research administration professionals who have achieved certification.