STAFF EMPOWERMENT

R&I TEAM APPRECIATION AND REVITALIZATION

With New Staff Comes New Energy And Great Possibilities

The Division of R&I recruited six new employees within this year. With the number and diversity of new staff, we have the look of a new team. They are already contributing significantly to the service quality and showing their leadership acumen. Our existing staff is adapting to all the fresh approaches being contributed to the office culture and environment. With new staff also comes a new and exciting exchange of ideas.

Team building has been a critical response to meeting the challenges of blending staff head-on. Throughout the year, R&I placed priority on its “One Team, One Dream” mantra by maintaining the monthly socials. Through the monthly socials, we remained current on university happenings, conducted team-building initiatives, and allowed ourselves to interact in a friendly and supportive environment.

As we look around the Division of Research & Innovation, it is clear to see the tremendous growth and advancement the team has made.

HONORING TALENT AND DEDICATION: A HEARTFELT FAREWELL TO RETIRING STAFF

Three of our valued staff members celebrated moving into retirement this year.

Grace Abolaji served as a Research Development Officer, Undergraduate Research in the Office of Research Advancement. Millissa Hain served as Senior Project Administrator in the Office of Sponsored Programs. Donna Elmore-Cole served as the Senior Contract Negotiator in the Office of Sponsored Programs.

CAMARADERIE AND COHESION: A STRONG TEAM IS TOP PRIORITY

R&I Vice President Magesh Rajan initiated monthly activities, deemed Monthly Socials, that provided professional development for all staff. The activities included professional personality surveys to determine how the team could create a more collaborative working environment. He also offered each staff member $1,000 in support of external training to support their current role. The Monthly Socials served to build the set of skills needed for successful teams: increased retention, confidence and credibility, well-trained leadership, re-energized staff and improved efficiency.

Virtual Training Sessions Deliver Tangible And Promising Results

The Research & Innovation Training Institute (RITI) for faculty, staff and students provided a weekly focus on a broad range of topics under the research and innovation umbrella. The goal is to bring expert speakers to provide skills, tools, essential training and knowledge to the campus research community for enhanced research and innovation activities.

This year, 36 training sessions have been offered, with more than 900 participants attending the RITI sessions in 2022.

The RITI training sessions are recorded and made available for on-demand viewing on the PVAMU Research YouTube channel. The sessions have proven highly engaging and successful, with numerous participants accessing every week. With nearly endless options for research and innovation topics to be addressed, there’s no end in sight for this exciting new initiative.