Inclusion and Engagement of Sections and Members of SRAI
As a member of SRAI for 15 years, I have had numerous professional and personal growth opportunities. I am thrilled to be part of an organization that fosters a collegial atmosphere where we all genuinely want to see each other succeed. This supportive environment was a factor in my decision to join SRAI and volunteer. Serving our members has been an absolute privilege.
My first volunteer experience was at the registration desk, and I was immediately captivated. I joined the Distinguished Faculty in 2017 and have since taken on various roles within SRAI. I have served as Chair and Co-Chair of the Membership Committee, during which we developed the Odyssey Program and the Future of the Field Award for our members. Additionally, I participated in the initial module development of the LevelUP program and have served on several Annual Meeting planning committees, even co-chairing the 2022 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.
My professional experience spans over 25 years in research administration, focusing on human subjects protection, research billing compliance, clinical trial operations and management, electronic systems implementation (such as IRB and clinical trials management), training and education, AAHRPP accreditation, and audits/monitoring. My time as an Ad Hoc committee member has also been very rewarding.
Understanding how SRAI operates behind the scenes and advocating for our members is empowering. Many dedicated volunteers share a belief in the mission of research administration, which drives our society’s success. Together, we excel in this purpose. As the Western Section President, my experience working with headquarters underscored the importance of remaining true to SRAI’s vision as leaders: to be the premier international resource for excellence in research management, administration, and the development of the profession. With approximately 5,000 members worldwide, we continually enhance our educational programming, which is something we should all be proud of.
I was recently invited to join the Sections Task Force, which aims to strengthen the sections by identifying ways to better support the regional aspects of SRAI. This initiative is particularly important to me as we consider the future leaders and directions for our mission to develop, define, and promote international best practices in research management, administration, knowledge transfer, and the growth of the research enterprise.
It has been exciting to see the Odyssey Program evolve from a concept into a successful initiative that has matched several mentors and mentees over the past six years.
As a member of the Board of Directors, I am eager to combine my passion for service, the experience I've gained from my previous roles, and my genuine respect for everyone working toward our shared goals
Authored By:
Tonya Edvalson
Policy and Programs Analyst
University of California, Los Angeles