Who Is Your SRAI Leadership: Meet the Southern Section & Chapter Leadership
In each monthly issue of the Catalyst, the “Who is your SRA Leadership?” column introduces you to the SRAI leadership, committee members and volunteers. This virtual platform serves as a good starting base to meeting the members of the SRAI community. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and we at the Catalyst want to hear from you! Share your story! Contact us to be featured in a future column, or nominate a co-worker or colleague to share their story.
In this issue, we introduce you to the executive committee members of the Southern Section: and Chapter Leadership Jennifer Easley, Ana M. Feliciano, Gina Hedberg, & Stephanie Hyche.
Jennifer Easley, CMA, CRA, CFRA, Southern Section President
What is your title and organization?
Business Manager II, Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University
Why SRAI?
While I had heard of SRAI in the past, I never really gave it much thought until I received an email inviting me to the Alabama Chapter meeting. I thought it would be a great way to get a full day of quality professional development without travelling too far from home. At the meeting, I got my first exposure to the SRAI organization and the great network and programming that SRAI membership provides. SRAI has allowed me to grow as a research administrator, employee, and leader, as I’ve taken on leadership roles that I might have never considered before. Also, as a Certified Management Accountant, I’m glad that I can earn my required CPE through the annual and section meetings, and this programming allows me to deepen my knowledge in many different aspects of research administration while doing so.
What does volunteering for SRAI mean to you?
Volunteering has allowed me to meet so many people I wouldn’t have encountered if I’d not been part of this organization. It’s also allowed me to stretch out of my comfort zone, as these opportunities have ranged from behind-the-scenes work, to leading and facilitating committee calls or presenting a session or workshop. All of these experiences have helped me with professional and personal growth and development.
What is the thing that you do in your Secret Life as a Research Administrator?
I am a creative accountant (in a legal, ethical way) who finds ways to truly do more with less. That skill has transferred very well as a research administrator, as I’m always seeking to optimize and streamline processes and plans of approach.
What makes you smile?
My family. I have been blessed beyond measure.
How do you find life-work balance?
When I take vacation time, I really try to be as offline from work as I can. Of course, sometimes this is not possible; however, I think this unplugging is so important to making us be even more productive at work while realizing we are all part of something much bigger than just our jobs.
What's your life philosophy?
Everything happens for a reason, even if I can’t see the bigger picture at the time or ever.
Gina Hedberg, Southern Section Immediate Past President
What is your title and organization?
Executive Director, Office of Sponsored Projects Administration, University of South Alabama
Why SRAI?
SRAI was a simple choice early because my friend (and now my VPR) Lynne Chronister encouraged me to join. When I attended my first SRAI meeting, I presumed it would be a series of learning sessions and maybe a social activity. What a misunderstanding! SRAI proved opportunities to learn from other members but it also provided a quick network of new friends and colleagues, the encouragement of seasoned members to “get involved!” and the support of patient SRAI leaders and staff who make newcomers feel welcome.
What does volunteering for SRAI mean to you?
It is colleagues coming together to create, learn, and share with their peers. After being involved at the Chapter, Section and International levels, I understand now what an effort it takes to produce SRAI activities. It is so satisfying to see many individuals from different part of the world, occupying differing roles in research administration, coming together to create something amazing which will benefit so many.
What is your favorite SRAI memory?
An early SRAI volunteer venture was establishing the Alabama Chapter with my friends Gloria Green and Fariba Deravi. What a fabulous sequence of SRAI events followed that innocent idea to get a Chapter going in our state.
What is one thing people don't know about you? 
I have four rescue dogs: a mama dog and three littermates. Abby, our mama dog, “adopted” my family on Thanksgiving nine years ago. She wandered up our driveway, visibly malnourished and lonely. My children persuaded me to keep her so we had her vetted the following week and she became part of the family along with Lucy, our chocolate Lab. A few weeks later we found out Abby wasn’t alone, she was pregnant. (Don’t judge my vet. Abby had other conditions that masked her early stage of pregnancy.) Five puppies arrived in early January, making our canine count rise to seven! Three puppies stayed with us – their large sizes made many folks a little nervous. Abby, Moose, Felix, and Domino have made life a combination of canine chaos and love.
What makes you smile?
Family and friends, Auburn sports (War Eagle!), and the words “the storm has taken a shift to the west (or east)”
Is the glass half empty or half full?
After working hours, it is likely half-empty because I am enjoying myself.
What's your life philosophy?
"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."
~ Saint Augustine
Ana M. Feliciano, BS Business Adm, Southern Section Treasurer
What is your title and organization?
Post Award Coordinator, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Why SRAI?
It provides us with the support needed in our line of work as well as up-to-date in regulations applicable to our grants.
What does volunteering for SRAI mean to you?
Means offering my expertise, knowledge, time and support to help maintain up and running this institution that provides us with so much.
What is the thing that you do in your Secret Life as a Research Administrator?
As Post Award Coordinator I am responsible, along with our staff, of all the post-award aspects of all grants approved to the Rio Piedras Campus, including Accounting/ Budgeting, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, and Human Resources. Also, I am in charge of offering workshops to the faculty and administrators of management of external funds and also of doing the kick-off meetings when new grants are received. Need to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations of grants.
What makes you smile?
A “Thank you” received once in a while; My Son; The Beach
How do you find life-work balance?
I do my best to not take work to my home, although sometimes that is not entirely possible. Nevertheless, I make an effort of maintaining a space between them.
What's your life philosophy?
Carpe Diem, seize the moment
Stephanie Hyche, BS, English; MS, Education; CRA, Alabama-Mississippi Chapter President
What is your title and organization?
Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Projects, Mississippi State University
Why SRAI?
SRAI recognizes and develops professionals along the full spectrum of research administration from academic to clinical, administration to development.
What does volunteering for SRAI mean to you?
Volunteering, specifically with a professional organization, provides an opportunity to meet such a wide network of potential friends. Often, professional relationships built on common experiences turn into enduring friendships.
What is the thing that you do in your Secret Life as a Research Administrator?
My favorite part of work is developing programs and workshops. Anytime we can “teach them how to fish” not only helps grow the research enterprise, but it demonstrates to faculty that we as research administrators are as invested in their success as they are.
What makes you smile?
I have two teenage boys and I love this phase of life and going to all of their sports and activities.
How do you find life-work balance?
I absolutely love learning about all of the projects I have the privilege of working on. Getting a “taste” of the work our faculty members are doing –which ultimately improve the quality of life for our community and society in general - helps me feel very in-the-know about issues and topics which are important to me.
What's your life philosophy?
Open-minded people don’t care to be right; they care to understand. There is never a right or wrong answer.
About the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter:
The Alabama/Mississippi Chapter is excited about our upcoming Chapter meeting, which will be held Friday, April 24, 2020 at The University of Alabama’s Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. Our Executive and Host Committees are hard at work planning a program to bring together our colleagues from every facet of Research Administration. Be on the lookout for more information and a call for speaking proposals!
#Catalyst#December2019