Relationship building is key to grant manager’s success
Nhan Reed | Grant Manager | Achievement & Assessment Institute
Developing rapport with investigators is key in many positions supporting research, and this is especially true for grant managers. When it comes to building relationships with KU researchers and external partners, Nhan Reed is lauded by her colleagues.
Reed is a grant manager at the Achievement & Assessment Institute, which partners with agencies to improve the lives of children and adults through academics, employment, career advancement and building healthy environments. Reed has been at KU since November 2015 and at AAI, which is one of KU’s 11 designated research centers, since August 2022.
“Nhan’s greatest strengths are her customer service skills and dedication to her team and the institute,” said Georgianna Correll, director of finance & administration at AAI. “Nhan routinely goes above and beyond to provide the highest level of service to internal and external stakeholders and approaches every encounter with patience and grace.”
Submitting proposals for external funding is a daunting task that can determine the availability of millions of dollars and the viability of an investigator’s research portfolio. PIs are under immense pressure to submit near-perfect applications. Reed recently helped a researcher who revised more than a dozen iterations of a draft for a federal proposal. Colleagues said Reed was a key player in getting the proposal across the finish line.
“Nhan not only managed each new draft with care, but also skillfully navigated the interpersonal dynamics involved,” said Megan Reinardy, AAI grant coordinator.
“She ensured the proposal was submitted with time to spare and proactively identified strategies to streamline the drafting process in the future, all while fostering positive relationships with everyone involved.”
Reed treats all partnerships with similar care. She recently provided assistance for an external partner because she recognized the long-term benefits of building relationships for the university, even though KU was only tangentially involved in the project. Colleagues also note that Reed advocates for the team she leads and works with others in AAI on professional development and recognition.
"Nhan is always positive and caring; her light shines brightly, and everyone benefits from it,” Correll said. “Regardless of what Nhan may be working on or going through, you will always see her with a smile on her face and a kind and gentle tone to her voice.”