Event
Event Details
Where:
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
When:
May 6 - 9, 2025
May 6 - 9, 2025
Attain Partners is speaking during the 2025 SRAI Southern Northeast (SO/NE) Section Meeting. Hear from our research administration experts May 6 – 9 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Are you attending? Add these informative sessions to your conference agenda—or meet one-on-one with our experts. We’d love to schedule a time to discuss solutions for any current issues your institution may be facing. Contact us today.
Workshops
WS5: Overcome Your Kryptonite – Life Lessons from the Research League
Tuesday, May 6 | 9a – 12:30p
Building a multigenerational workforce that includes Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials and Generation Zers, leveraging the collective abilities of individuals of all ages.
Four generations are currently working together—more than ever before! This session will discuss leveraging the strengths and capabilities of these unique workforces in order to gain the most out of a team in what is already an extremely competitive job market.
SPOILER ALERT: Superheroes may be present! :)
Learning Objectives
- Identify strategies to create a high-performing multigenerational workforce.
- Leverage the skills of four generations to create a more competitive workforce.
Speakers
- Andrea Deaton, Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners, Distinguished Faculty
- John Hedberg, Senior Associate, Attain Partners
- Judy Bristow, VP Grants & Compliance, Louisville Healthcare CEO Council (CEOc)
- Jason Claes, Clinical Research Manager, TriHealth, Distinguished Faculty
- Farrell Rapp, Director of Research Services, University of Wyoming
- Amanda Seymour, Director, Sponsored Programs Accounting, Mississippi State University
- Nick Sheppard, Sponsored Project Analyst, University of South Alabama
WS2: Demystifying the Numbers: A Primer on Accounting Principles for Post-Award Research Administrators
Tuesday, May 6 | 1:30p – 5p
Comprehensive post-award research administration requires a strong grasp of financial principles to ensure proper accounting and accuracy in institutional financial statements. This session will provide an overview of essential accounting concepts, tailored to the needs of post-award professions, and provide you with a solid foundation in basic accounting principles. We’ll break down complex accounting principles into easy-to-understand concepts and then move into practical exercises to solidify the new knowledge. We will delve into key concepts such as:
Accrual vs. Cash Basis Accounting
- Distinguishing between the two methods and their relevance to research administration
- Recognizing the timing differences in revenue and expense recognition
- Understanding the impact of accrual and cash basis accounting on financial statements
Revenue Recognition
- Understanding the timing and criteria for recognizing revenue from grants and contracts
- Differentiating between earned revenue and unearned revenue
- Implications of revenue recognition on financial reporting and compliance
Fund Accounting
- Exploring the concept of fund accounting and its application to research grants
- Differentiating between restricted and unrestricted funds
- Understanding the importance of fund balance and its impact on financial reporting
Debits and Credits
- Grasping the fundamental concept of double-entry accounting
- Identifying the impact of debits and credits on accounts
- Applying debits and credits to common post-award transactions
Learning Objectives
- Understand the fundamental accounting principles relevant to post-award research administration, apply revenue recognition principles to research grants and contracts.
- Distinguish between restricted and unrestricted funds, and understanding the impact of debits and credits on accounts.
Speakers:
- Shacey Temperly, Principal, Attain Partners
- Nate Wagner, Director of Accounting for the Dean’s Office
Concurrent Sessions
W102: It’s a Long-Term Game, Not a Short-Term Gain – RA Software Implementation
Wednesday, May 7 | 9:30a – 10:30a
Are you embarking on the journey of a new software implementation? Been at another conference and have seen all the new potential applications on the market, but not sure what all is involved? Join us in this thought-provoking session as we explore implementation of a new software system through the eyes of a Research Administrator.
Implementations are complex and involve more than the bottom-line purchase price. In this session, we will explore what necessitates the need for new software, components involved in the implementation, and uncover the hidden implementation and personnel costs. Making the right decision could make or break your current research infrastructure. After all, it’s a long-term game, not a short-term gain.
Learning Objectives
- Discover and consider different elements of your current infrastructure that might necessitate the need for new software or complicate the implementation process.
- Explore the different components and stages of a software implementation—pre-award, post-award, compliance.
Speakers
- Andrea Deaton, Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners, Distinguished Faculty
- John Hedberg, Senior Associate, Attain Partners
- Anita Mills, Director of Enablement, University of Tennessee Space Institute – Huntsville
- Tanisha Lemons
W205: Navigating CMMC Compliance
Wednesday, May 7 | 10:45a – 11:45a
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a critical topic that impacts the security and integrity of our nation’s research endeavors. The role of the research administrator is pivotal to CMMC compliance.
As we all navigate the complexities of cybersecurity compliance, the CMMC framework provides a structured approach to safeguarding our data and research assets. This presentation will explore the key components of CMMC, its relevance to your institution, and how research administrators can effectively manage and support compliance efforts.
The panel of award-winning subject matter experts will delve into the specific responsibilities of research administrators related to CMMC. By the end of this session, you will have a clearer understanding of how to support CMMC requirements and compliance at your institution.
Learning Objectives
- Understand key components of CMMC.
- Identify how to support CMMC requirements and compliance at your institution.
Speakers
- Andrea Deaton, Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners, Distinguished Faculty
- David Furman, Director of Information Security & Risk Compliance, University of South Alabama
- Russ Ward, Information Systems Security Manager, University of Alabama in Huntsville
T101: Basics of Research Administration
Thursday, May 8 | 9:30a – 10:30a
In this session, we will cover beginner topics such as understanding FOAs, allowable/allocable costs, effort management, and prior approvals.
Learning Objectives
- Understanding the basics of research administration.
- Understand allocable/allowable costs, effort management,
Speakers
- Andrea Deaton, Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners, Distinguished Faculty
- Judy Bristow, VP Grants & Compliance, Louisville Healthcare CEO Council (CEOc)
