Deb Vetter and her staff review approximately 700 grants and contracts per year, of which approximately 400 are awarded.
Vetter admits it’s a high-stress, detail-oriented task, but one she finds rewarding and challenging as director of UNMC’s Sponsored Programs. Vetter’s office supports UNMC’s research enterprise by helping faculty members and investigators with grants and contracts and overseeing compliance. In addition to the submission process, SPA manages no-cost extensions, rebudget requests, grant transfers and non-financial post-award actions.
“We’re are another set of eyes assisting investigators in completing applications,” said Vetter, who received this month’s Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award for her outstanding performance. “We see our role as being one of their team’s players.
Moving to Omaha
The Makoti, N.D., native joined UNMC in March 2001 after serving as a research administrator for approximately 12 years at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. There, she expanded the research skills she had acquired at her alma mater — the University of Nebraska at Kearney – by working with Wright State’s engineering and medical schools.
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“Leads by example”
“Deb is the most amazing person and is suited perfectly for the job she is doing,” said her Gold ‘U’ nominator at UNMC. “She has a calming manner about her that can ease a tension filled situation and turn it into a calm, productive solution to a problem. As the director, she has tremendous responsibilities making sure everything is done correctly and expediently. However, she is not one to sit back and just direct. She is always willing to do what it takes to get a job done whether it is solving a problem with a federal agency, working with faculty, or something as small as answering the phones or making copies. Deb leads by example and has the most valuable commodity of all; a true work ethic.”
Although her background is in communication disorders, Vetter launched her career when she was asked to start a central grants office at UNK. “I really enjoyed working with faculty and learning about their research,” she said. “Research administration is a high energy job.”
Burgeoning research enterprise
At UNMC, she is drafting the policies and procedures necessary for a burgeoning research enterprise. In the past year, UNMC’s research funding from external sources increased by 23 percent and now exceeds $50 million annually. In that same period, federal funding increased by 36 percent and now exceeds $34 million.
“The difference has been having a vision for research and encouraging collaboration,” she said from her third-floor office in UNMC’s Academic and Research Services Building. “Everybody is on the same page and research is being encouraged at all levels.”
Planning for the future
Partnering with UNMC’s Information Technology Services, other service units, departments and investigators, SPA is developing an e-grant system to increase efficiency and accuracy by minimizing duplication. “It would make life easier for investigators and their staff, while positioning us for a future involving electronic submission of grants,” she said.
She also is interested in creating a certificate program, which would allow UNMC administrators to become certified as campus grant administrators after taking a Sponsored Programs curriculum.
Juggling tasks
“Compliance is requiring enormous resources for this office and the university, both financial and staff time,” Vetter said. “Managing the risk associated with being in compliance is a huge investment of time.”
Yet, Vetter and her eight-member team juggle thousands of pages of grants and contracts each year. “I get energy from thinking I make things better for others,” she said. “We work as a team in this office. Our focus is on serving the campus community.”
Together, the team juggles a world of non-negotiable deadlines, reviewing each grant and contract for adequate documentation. “Paperwork becomes dollars so there isn’t one that doesn’t involve a careful analysis,” she said.
Outside the office
When she’s not working, Vetter enjoys spending time with her husband, Ken, playing the piano and reading. She has three grown children and two grandchildren.