With the funding landscape at all levels becoming increasingly competitive, new challenges being faced, and funding in general becoming unpredictable, it can be difficult to think about how research and sponsored programs prevail. When venturing into these uncharted areas, all you can do is learn to adapt as you navigate through it all. Like any formidable undertaking, no one can face these matters alone. In research administration, no one overcomes challenges or accomplishes anything alone; we always have someone supporting us, guiding us, or offering new perspectives. It truly takes a village to face our unique challenges, and now more than ever, we need each other; we need our community.

When thinking about how to describe what we do, words like “adaptable,” “collaborative,” “inquisitive,” “uplifting,” “driven,” “kind,” and “strong” come to mind. However, one word that best describes our profession is “resilient.” Resilient is an adjective, used to describe something or someone capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture; tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Our resiliency is the result of generations of research administrators who choose to give and nurture those around them, never wanting to put up walls or barriers, but sharing knowledge and guidance openly and freely. We proudly and happily continue this tradition. When systems are changing and becoming increasingly difficult, we turn to our oldest and truest strength; our community.