CAS Research and Creative Activity Supported by Newly Expanded Coordination Team
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of Research and Creative Activity expanded this spring to help guide the vibrant interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and creative activity throughout arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
This office provides expert concierge service to all college faculty for the preparation and submission of all non-technical proposal documents, allowing these researchers focus on their technical narratives as they broaden the impact and recognition of their dynamic research, scholarship, and creative activity.
Beth Meko and Jess Antonio joined fellow research coordinator Annie Brown and Director Courtney Holbert to fill out the team in their new office space in Dabney Hall. Claire Mayo will join them on May 1 as research development manager, transitioning from her role as the college’s administrative coordinator for academic programs.
The coordinators help with budget support and development, managing Cayuse records, administrative paperwork, and understanding external funding opportunity requirements.
Brown joined the research office in the coordinator role in April 2023 following four years as proposal coordinator in UT’s Division of Research Administration and is a member of the National Council of University Research Administrators. The Alcoa, Tennessee, native appreciates the collaboration that unites units and departments across the university.
“It feels like a diverse community of specialists working towards the same goal of making an impact,” said Brown. “I love that the sense of community is felt all over campus.”
Meko joined the team on April 1 after serving for many years as a grant writer in the UT College of Communication and Information. She earned her master’s degree in information sciences at UT and has even taught a graduate-level class in grant writing.
“I love helping faculty, especially early career faculty, find their way around the often-tricky landscape of external funding,” said Meko. “I am happy to chat with faculty about grant proposal tips and tricks anytime.”
Like Brown, Meko also appreciates UT’s, and Knoxville’s, rich creative environment.
“I’ve lived in Knoxville since 2008 and have really enjoyed seeing its downtown and surrounding areas develop into such an outstanding, vibrant arts scene,” said Meko. “UT is central to making Knoxville an ideal place for artists, makers, and other creative folks to live and create.”
Antonio began her role in March, bringing an international experience to the team. A native of Canada, she spent the last 10 years working in university administration in England.
“While I am brand new to the University of Tennessee, I am very comfortable in arts and sciences,” she said. “My educational background is in humanities and my professional background is fairly equally based in both science and arts. I look forward to meeting my new colleagues here.”
Antonio’s academic foundation is in English language and literature, plus research in animal studies, post-humanist philosophy, and critical media studies.
“My passion for education and research led me to specialize in research administration,” she said. “Prior to relocating to UT, I have held research-related roles in the social science and humanities.”
In her role as research development manager, Mayo will identify funding opportunities and build PIVOT profiles and sponsor-specific toolkits. She will also assist with the development of collaborative teams and identifying faculty for future center and institute scale submissions and will support development of faculty and researcher applications for prestigious fellowships, awards, and honors.