Assistant Vice President for Research Receives National Productivity Award

Dave Harris, the ISU Assistant Vice President for Research Administration, recently received the 2023 Cayuse Productivity Award to recognize his efforts in reducing research administration barriers and obstacles at ISU.

Beginning nearly a decade ago, Harris led ISU efforts to modernize ISU's grant and contract system, and adopted tools and processes to improve efficiency and reduce proposal submission and review delays. 

"When you are using a hard copy, it's really easy to become siloed in your own area," Harris said.

He added that COVID-19 was not a problem for ISU's research administration process.

"We continued to effectively manage research in ways that would not have been possible with former systems," he said. "In today's fast paced world, productivity is a crucial factor in achieving success."

Harris and the entire Office of Sponsored Programs and Support are recognized for their effort in helping ISU receive over $48 million in research awards last year--a 200% increase over the past five years.