Erin Blackwell, Associate Director for the Research Administration Services Team in the College of Community Innovation and Education, shares how the research administration graduate program has enriched her career.
Erin Blackwell, left, says the master’s in research administration program helped her lead a growing team and integrate pre-award and post-award services while supporting faculty and research. (Photo credit: Blake Osting)
Erin Blackwell, MRA, Associate Director for the Research Administration Services Team in the College of Community Innovation and Education, credits UCF’s Master’s in Research Administration program for enhancing her career as a staff member.
When Blackwell started working at UCF’s Office of Research, she was introduced to the professional development pathways that were available to research administrators, including UCF’s MRA program offered online. As a lifelong Central Floridian with nearly 10 years of experience in research administration, she knew it was the right choice for her. Her journey soon began, and she graduated with a MRA in December 2017.
“I wanted to advance my career without having to move away,” Blackwell says. “The master’s program was a huge career boost, and I learned new skills that translate directly into the work I do here.”
Those skills proved essential when Blackwell was chosen to lead the college’s research office. “I had the opportunity to join the former College of Education who I was providing pre/post award support from the Office of Research,” Blackwell says. “It was an immediate yes.”
As the Associate Director of Research Administration Services Team, she has expanded her team from one member to six full-time staff and a graduate student. She also helped spearhead a unique initiative: combining the college-level offices that handled the pre-award and post-award sides of research administration.
When Blackwell transferred to COE, the office was mainly focused on pre-award services. “Typically, pre-award and post-award used to be handled in two separate offices, and we merged them,” Blackwell says. “This was not widespread at the time because other colleges provided post-award under their budget offices and pre-award was handled in close coordination with the Office of Research. We’ve been diligent about making our office a valuable resource for our faculty, and I think we’re a role model for how to successfully integrate pre-award and post-award in the same office.”
With the numerous opportunities afforded by her role to lead and grow, Blackwell has found UCF an encouraging place to work. She says this atmosphere is built on two things: strong leadership and unyielding employee support.
“At UCF, staff are just as valued as the faculty and the students,” Blackwell says. “It's great to be at a place that gives us support and resources so we can do our jobs effectively. Our college’s leadership has total confidence in us and allows us to do what we do best. It has always helped us grow in the ways we needed to grow.”
Blackwell sees that growth continuing and is thrilled for the future. She admires UCF’s priority on research and says things will only improve.
“The university is working to enhance its reputation in national research, and as research administrators, we’re a big part of that,” Blackwell says. “We're part of the team that is transforming everyday challenges into impactful solutions, and I’m excited to continue supporting our faculty and fostering collaboration to drive meaningful research initiatives."
