CAFNR staff members have recently earned the designation of Certified Research Administrator from the Research Administrators Certification Council. Liz Bent, grants/contracts specialist, CAFNR Business Services, and Debbie Lingle, grants/contracts specialist, Division of Plant Sciences, successfully passed the council’s examination in December, demonstrating a level of knowledge necessary to be a professional research or sponsored programs administrator.

“This certification is a great benefit to the College,” said Evelyn Lindell, administrative manager, CAFNR Business Services. “Liz and Debbie provide a high level of expertise to all CAFNR faculty and Sponsored Programs professionals.”

Qualifications for this award include a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of substantial involvement in administering sponsored research programs. CRAs must recertify every five years to continue using the CRA designation. Recertification applicants are expected to demonstrate continued participation or employment in the field of research administration, including requisite hours of continuing education activities.

The curriculum covered by the CRA examination is referred to as the “Body of Knowledge,” and has four broad components:

• Project Development and Administration
• Legal Requirements and Sponsor Interface
• Financial Management
• General Management

Within MU, Bent and Lingle are two of only five Certified Research Administrators.