Community & Member Engagement
Finding My Place as a Leader in Research Administration
A simple girl from Bangladesh who had no idea about the academic world transitions into a successful Research Administrator, leading a team of five as an Assistant Director. From volunteering at MIT, Georgia Tech and in Lubbock to working across different professions- she is always eager to learn and grow.
When I arrived from Bangladesh many years ago, I had no idea that one day I would become a Research Administrator. With a Master’s in Economics, I imagined a future in banking. I began my career as a teller in a local bank, eventually moving to Texas Tech Credit Union, where I worked my way up from teller to loan officer to branch manager. Although I enjoyed banking, I was drawn to higher education, so when an opportunity came to join an academic institution, I took it. My first role in academia was as a paralegal to the Immigration Attorney at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. I found contentment in helping faculty and researchers secure their H1Bs and green cards—but I still felt something was missing. Later, I transitioned to Texas Tech University’s Payroll Department. That position introduced me to accounting and gave me valuable training in Microsoft Excel. However, the nature of the job didn’t align with my personality—I missed personal interaction and the ability to directly help people in their endeavors.
I finally found my niche at the Office of Research Services at Texas Tech University. This role opened my eyes to all the possibilities in research administration. I love helping faculty bring their research dreams to life. Every time a grant is awarded, I feel a sense of pride- like I’ve made a small contribution to their success. The cherry on top is when I receive a thank-you note from faculty.
When I began my journey as a Research Administrator, the learning curve was steep. Fortunately, my office was supportive and taught me the details of the job. Within six months, I challenged myself to give my first presentation. I still remember it clearly—it was at MIT, years ago, using a carousel of slides… no PowerPoint! Since then, I’ve presented regularly at NCURA Region V for the last four years and have served on several committees. Last year I had a great opportunity to work with NCURA Region V Board as an At-large member and got to see how things work in arranging a large conference.
Looking back, I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. I moved to this country without even knowing how to speak English! Now I’m leading a time of five within our 14-member pre-award office as Assistant Director at my institution. I’m committed to growth—for myself and for others. Helping people is more than a job for me; it’s something I genuinely love. I train new team members by walking them through their work from start to finish, ensuring they understand each step of the process. I’m always available to answer their questions and regularly support non-financial teams with budget revisions.
One thing I strongly believe:
If you want to go up, bring your team with you.
Their success is your success. Their failure is yours.
Authored by: