The NORDP Rising Star Award recognizes individuals for their outstanding, early volunteer contributions to NORDP and strong potential for future contributions to the organization and the profession or the field.
Who: Elizabeth Lathrop, PhD
Where: University of Maryland
Number of years in research development: 9 years (started unofficially ~2016)
Length of NORDP membership: 7 years since 2018
What initiative are you the most proud of in your role as a NORDP volunteer?
Mentoring committee definitely! After being a new NORDP member for a year, I picked the NORDP Mentoring Committee to get involved because I identify with the values of this committee of #Payitforward. I started as a trainee in the Mentoring Training workshop and then volunteered on various MC subcommittees which led to becoming one of the Co-Chairs. I feel very privileged to continue the work others had laid the ground work for in the past years. It takes continuous time investment and thoughtfulness to improve the various mentoring services that are available to all NORDP members. I believe my participation in the committee makes a difference in the contributions of the Mentoring Committee toward the overall success of NORDP.
How did you hear about NORDP and what made you join initially?
As part of my professional development, my boss (the Engineering Associate Dean of Research at University of Maryland) suggested that I join when first hired in my current research development position. That was in 2018. I gave myself one year to get oriented to the NORDP organization and very soon realized the grounding value of NORDP is in the relationships.
Like many other research professionals, I held various other roles wearing many hats before.
In my attempt to identify my responsibilities in an “office of one”, I learned that I must define boundaries and identify ways to collaborate with others to maximize impacts. I have learned these practices from my NORDP colleagues.
What relationships have you built as a result of NORDP?
Network, Network, and Network! Networking with a range of research professionals provides me the opportunities to improve my own skillset through collaboration and listening. Through the Mentoring Committee, I have developed trusting relationships with many NORDP colleagues through our committee work (I love the photo taken at the 2024 NORDP Conference at Bellevue, WA this year) as well as through my participation in the mentoring program as a mentor/mentee. They have taught me the essence of the Can-Do mindset by learning through doing, which continues to guide the work I do for NORDP and at the University of Maryland. Most importantly, I consider many of them friends with whom I identify with a sense of belonging, something I treasure immensely.
Describe how NORDP has changed from when you initially joined
The expansion of the NORDP community is evidenced by a rapid increase in member participation in the Mentoring Program since its inception in 2012 (see the mentoring program evolution figure below). Along the way, the Mentoring Committee has continued to find new ways to provide resources and support for our growing member base. With the strong support of the NORDP Board, the Mentoring Committee implemented the Wisdom Share software in 2021 to try to streamline the matching process; in 2022, we subsequently adopted the new 1:3 Mentor:Mentees Cohort mentoring to address the need for more research development mentors. Even though I only joined NORDP since 2018, I have personally benefited from all of these improvements. I would like to give a big shoutout to everyone for their generosity and enthusiasm for sharing and volunteering.
Figure Credits: Mentoring Committee Past Co-chair Kathy Partlow (l) and Mentoring Committee Market & Communication subcommittee (McMc) team member Jessica Brassard (r)
What recommendations do you have for members to get more involved with NORDP?
Just do it and learn by doing!
Don’t be afraid to take a risk and gets your hands wet. No matter how we think we are prepared or not prepared, the only way to make an impact is by doing. Even though the process could be at times challenging and perhaps with occasional frustration, I think you would also be surprised by how rewarding it feels when accomplishments are completed as well as the camaraderie along the way. I can personally attest to the experience; it is worth it.
It takes a Village to build the NORDP Community and beyond!
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