Recently retired administrator helped faculty manage research funding

Anita Abel | Associate Director of Post-Award Services | Office of Research

A recently retired research administrator contributed more than 50 years of service to the University of Kansas. Much of that time was spent ensuring that faculty and staff could access research funding necessary for them to make discoveries that bettered Kansas and the world.

Anita Abel began her KU career in 1975 as a receptionist in the Division of Continuing Education. She also held positions in the first University Placement Office (now called University Career Services) and KU Libraries before starting as an accounts payable clerk in 1985 at the KU Center for Research Inc. (referred to as CRINC at that time).

“Anita used her incredible institutional knowledge to resolve issues across the sponsored project lifespan, with a focus on award finance and compliance,” said Alicia Reed, assistant vice chancellor for research.

“Her role was multifaceted, assisting with award management issue management, sponsor interaction, award setup and award accounts receivable.”

She was promoted to a number of positions in the Office of Research, including as accounts payable coordinator, assistant manager of business services, and interim manager for Post-Award Services, before moving to the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies (later renamed the Life Span Institute), where she gained hands-on research administration experience working directly for researchers and their support staff. In 2013, the Office of Research hired Anita as assistant director for Post-Award Services. She retired as associate director.  

“Anita was a diligent and dedicated co-worker, always willing to go the extra mile to ensure an issue was addressed and that stakeholders were aware of how to resolve and avoid similar issues in the future,” Reed said. “She was a dependable colleague and friend in the workplace — someone you could always count on.”

Abel retired in January 2026, but colleagues wouldn’t be surprised if you still see her on campus from time to time.

“She is a die-hard KU basketball fan, with season tickets to men’s games,” Reed said. “She truly cared about KU and was always looking for ways to support KU and KU researchers.”