Written by: Roshni Singh with input from Natalie Baronian, Career Stories team
A Spectacular Path from Grantsmanship and Research Administration to Research Development
Before joining the RD field, Dr. Melissa had various roles in higher education as a grant manager, a pre-award specialist, and someone who helped build programs for faculty members in grant writing and research initiatives. In these roles, she was unaware that she was crafting her path to the RD field.
Meet Melissa Hodge-Penn, the Interim Vice Chancellor for Research at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NC A&T), where she served as the Associate Vice Chancellor before her Interim role. Before joining NC A&T, Dr. Melissa served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for research and sponsored programs at the University of Mississippi, where she facilitated university-wide strategic research growth activities, strategic planning and implementation, and directed multiple and diverse constituencies in support of the research enterprise. Her experience began at Georgia State University, where she worked on community and workforce development projects. This exposure led her to Emory University, marking her formal entry into research administration.
Dr. Melissa brings a wealth of experience managing programs funded by multiple and diverse sources and providing administrative oversight and management for a research enterprise. This includes portfolio administration, complex and multidisciplinary project administration, research development, research compliance, and policy implementation. Her experience at different universities and systems has allowed her to gather best practices, provide influence around visioning, and align RD for the unique needs of the “next university” and place of employment.
Dr. Melissa is a demonstrated leader with experience across academia, government, and not-for-profit organizations who has successfully fostered private sector and community-based relationships. Adding her leadership qualities to her current role. Dr. Melissa advocates for research needs and supports faculty in research endeavors. She emphasizes the importance of strategic operational support for the research enterprise and through these develops networks amongst research professionals. She is inventive in maximizing and leveraging resources to support researchers and their students. She is not reluctant to speak on what potentially “could be seen as out of the box” and her always “willing to grow, move and learn all she can and having that front seat to innovation.” Hence, she finds fulfillment in mentoring junior faculty and supporting new research development officers, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation.
As a Black woman in a leadership role, Dr. Melissa recognizes the significance of representation in academia. Therefore, she aims to inspire others by demonstrating that diverse paths can lead to success in research administration. Her tip to everyone is that while moving around to grow your career, absorb the best and let it expand your worldview — particularly around research. She also advises to “Document Your Journey” by keeping detailed notes of your experiences and insights. These can be invaluable for future reference and for helping others.
Her RD pro-tip/hack is to give yourself grace and don’t take yourself too seriously, you know what you know. She also recommends taking part in professional development and networking teams you might not otherwise as this will have a great impact on you and your career.
Dr. Melissa would love to answer any questions you have for her, so please feel free to email her at mhodgepenn@ncat.edu.
The link to the interview to Dr. Melissa’s November Career Stories will be posted on the LMS when available.
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