Cindy Majeske, research manager in the Dean’s Office of the Eli Broad College of Business, and Rita Peffers, administrative business professional for the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Human Medicine, are the recipients of the Fall 2018 Research Administrator Spotlight Award.
MSU’s research administration offices, Sponsored Programs Administration, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Contract and Grant Administration sponsor the award, which was established in the Fall of 2017.
The award recognizes the professional contributions and quality of service of MSU’s unit research administrators and encourages excellence and exemplary service through the model of The Spartan Experience. Recipients of the award play an integral role in advancing MSU’s research mission and lead by example. The Research Administrator Spotlight serves as recognition of such MSU employees and inspiration to others who aspire to the same level of service.
A recommendation panel, which included two faculty members (from the Council of Research Deans and Sponsored Programs Advisory Committee), a previous Spotlight Recipient and two SPA/OSP/CGA staff selected Majeske and Peffers to receive this award for the Fall of 2018.
Majeske, who has 26 years of service at MSU, enjoys working with faculty to develop their research plan. "I am inspired by the creativity and innovation of our faculty, and I’m confident that through research, we can contribute to making the world a better place one project at a time,” said Majeske.
Peffers, who has 29 years of service at MSU, cites interacting with the university's international partners, particularly on award management, as something she enjoys most about research administration. One of Peffers' nominators described Peffers as ranking "in the highest levels with respect to competence, taking initiative and resourcefulness to ensure our research unit fulfills its academic and research mission."
Along with this honor, Majeske and Peffers are recognized with a plaque and a financial token of appreciation. They are also featured in the SPA Fall 2018 Newsletter.
