Where & Who We Are
Location:
Office of Sponsored Programs
Suite #25 Kepner Hall
17th Street and 8th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado
Central Numbers:
Phone: (970) 351-1907
FAX: (970) 351-1934
Mailing Address:
Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Northern Colorado
Campus Box #143
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic Contacts:
Email: osp@unco.edu
Web: http://www.unco.edu/osp
SharePoint: requires UNC log-in
Office Hours:
Official business hours are from 8:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday.
Michele Schwietz, PhD – Director
Phone: 970-351-2161
Email: michele.schwietz@unco.edu
Dr. Michele S. Schwietz came to UNC in 2009 after more 27 years of higher education and research administration experience at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) – a public, doctoral granting university. During her work at IUP, Michele worked closely with faculty, staff and students to promote research and scholarship; to advance graduate and undergraduate education; and to promote the responsible conduct of research. While at IUP she chaired the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB); co-chaired the Faculty Professional Development Council; co-chaired the Undergraduate Scholars Forum; and served as a member of the University Senate Research Committee. She has worked extensively with faculty and staff in the preparation of grant proposals to external funding agencies, and has been involved in numerous successful initiatives.
Michele received her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in Social and Comparative Analysis of Education with a specialization in International and Development Education; a Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Michele published a book, Internationalization of the Academic Profession: Faculty Attitudes, Beliefs, and Involvement in Public Universities in Pennsylvania in 2008; received the Harold E. Josephson Award for professional promise in international education from the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) in 2006, and received a grant from the University of Pittsburgh to fund her dissertation research.
Arlene Hansen – Associate Director
Phone: 970-351-1932
Email: arlene.hansen@unco.edu
Arlene came to UNC in 1998 as Assistant Director of the UNC Research Corporation. In a previous life, Arlene studied theatre at the University of Wyoming; however, after two years in summer stock and community theater and a brief time spent in aviation safety, her career has been in grant administration. One of the most interesting assignments she has undertaken while at UNC was serving as the chair of the Animal Care & Use Committee, which helped her to develop a better understanding and appreciation for the researchers and scholars she works with every day.
Arlene's background in grant administration includes ten years at Cornell University, first in the Office of Sponsored Programs and then with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Office. Prior to sponsored programs administration in higher education, Arlene spent 15 years with the Arkansas Department of Local Services in the Job Training Partnership Act and Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Programs, and later with the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission in the Community and Economic Development Block Grant Program.
If you stop by Arlene’s office in Kepner Hall, you’ll see a name plate outside her door that reads, “Arlene Hansen – Employee of the Month.” It was presented to her by, then Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton.
Sherry May – Electronic Research Specialist & IRB Administrator
Phone: 970-351-1910
Email: sherry.may@unco.edu
Sherry’s career at UNC began in 1987 as a member of the Graduate School staff. She became a full time sponsored programs employee a short time later, and has been a part of the growth and success of the University's externally funded grants enterprise since then. With over 20 years of experience in sponsored programs, Sherry's current expertise lies in electronic proposal submission, ranging from the National Science Foundation's FastLane system to Grants.gov, the portal for proposal submissions for many other federal agencies.
Sherry is a member of Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research, a national organization that promotes ethical standards in research including the use of human subjects. She has also been a member of the National Council of University Research Administrators and the Society of Research Administrators.
Mona Castor – Senior Budget & Post-Award Management Specialist
Phone: 970-351-1912
Email: mona.castor@unco.edu
Mona joined UNC in the Department of Human Services in 1988. She eventually moved to the UNC Research Corporation (now OSP) and began assisting more externally funded project directors in the development and management of their awards. Currently, as the Senior Budget & Post-Award Specialist in the Office of Sponsored Programs, she assists the faculty and staff of UNC in proposal budget development, award negotiation, effective administration and management of externally funded grants and contracts, and subaward negotiation.
Mona works closely with Information Management and Technology and other university personnel to ensure that the Grant Insight Reporting system is responsive to project directors’ needs for reporting and project monitoring functions. Mona enjoys working with faculty and facilitating the research enterprise while also balancing a myriad of details to help the university remain in compliance with the terms and conditions of externally funded awards.
Open – Office Coordinator
Phone: 970-351-1917
Email:
