Community & Member Engagement
From "Black Box" to Senior Director: My Path in Research Administration
Discover the journey of a Senior Director at Huron, from a "black box job application" to a decade of impactful work in research administration. Learn about the challenges, advice, and insights gained while supporting mission-based research and fostering community in the field.
“Black box job application.” That is my standard answer to how I ended up in research administration. Like many of us, I had no prior knowledge of research—but I needed a job, enjoyed working at an undergraduate advising office in college, and loved the idea of working in academia. I submitted my resume and was hired into Sponsored Projects at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“UTHH”), eventually moving to the Office of Institutional Compliance.
UTHH was formative to my career. I was fortunate to start this journey under incredible leaders who believed in the institution’s mission, valued customer service, and invested in developing their teams. They were generous with their time and open to new ideas. Their mentorship helped create and solidify my passion for research and shaped my approach to working with people.
Today, I’m a Senior Director at Huron, a consulting firm specializing in education, healthcare, and research. I celebrated ten years with the firm in March. I’m privileged to work with institutions to address the myriad of challenges we navigate as research administrators, and I’m excited to share a few reflections with the SRAI Catalyst readers.
Advice to My Younger Self?
Learn as much as you can about your institution’s broader operating environment. Research is usually one of three main missions, alongside education and service. Understanding what drives the other two helps contextualize the challenges researchers face and the decisions institutions make.
Best Part About Working for Huron?
Researchers are tackling the world’s biggest challenges- from food security to climate resilience to curing rare diseases. I get to problem-solve alongside institutions to enable that research. I love spending my days supporting mission-based work and learning how different institutions operate. I’ve met some of the smartest, most fun people at Huron and among our clients. That combination of great people and meaningful problem-solving is a perfect fit for me.
Podcast Recommendations for SRAI Readers?
I have two!
- The Happiness Lab, hosted by a clinical psychologist, offers evidence-based strategies for being happier. Several of the strategies Dr. Santos discusses—like building a sense of community and asking for and receiving help—are supported through SRAI involvement.
- Effort Report, hosted by two researchers provide insight into faculty life. It’s like seeing behind the curtain into their daily experiences and helps me better understand the pressures they face. Since our roles involve saying “no” due to compliance requirements, this podcast reminds me to approach difficult conversations with a customer service mindset.
Biggest Lesson I’ve Learned?
Everything comes down to relationships. Everyone wants to feel heard (I sometimes joke that my job feels more like being a therapist than anything else!). Investing time in building relationships – within your office, your institution, the broader research administration world – will pay off in spades.
And that’s how we foster community. I truly believe research administrators are a model of connection and support. Folks are willing to share, brainstorm, and collaborate. Honestly, the SRAI meetings feel like summer camp—attendees are genuinely excited to reconnect with friends they’ve made over the years.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?
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