Sponsored Programs

Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) is the University's authorized representative for proposal submissions grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other sponsored project agreements for and from external governmental agencies, industry, and non-profit sponsors. The objective of Sponsored Programs Office is to provide researchers with more efficient and accountable strategic and administrative support while fostering interdisciplinary research capacity growth at Howard University. SPO is the direct report of the Vice President for Research in the Office of Research.

Core Values

  • Service - We believe that serving others is a noble and worthy endeavor.
  • Integrity - We are committed to the principles of truth and honesty and we will be equitable, ethical, and professional.
  • Diversity - We respect others and value diversity of opinions, freedom of expression, and other ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Excellence - We seek excellence in all our endeavors, and we are committed to continuous improvement.

Sponsored Programs Office promotes scholarly activity at Howard by coordinating all externally funded research and training related projects.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Proposal development assistance.
  • Serve as liaison between Principal Investigators and sponsoring agencies.
  • Preparation, review and approval of all grant-related personnel actions.
  • Review and authorization of all expenditure requests.
  • Prepare budget modification requests to meet projected budgetary needs.
  • Negotiate and prepare requests of extension of the termination date and carryover of the unexpended balance.

Contacts

Pre-Award

Portfolio Assignments

SPO Staff MemberSPO PositionContact
Lauren FerrellAssistant Vice President, Sponsored Programs Office Pre-Awardlauren.ferrell@howard.edu
(202) 341 - 1936
Danielle BooneExecutive Director, Sponsored Programs Office Pre-Awarddaniellet.boone@howard.edu
Crystal UmaruSenior Director, Sponsored Programs Office Pre-Awardcrystal.umaru@howard.edu
VacantAssistant Director of Sponsored Programs Agreements  
Carol MessamManager of Sponsored Programscmessam@howard.edu 
Caribbean RossManager of Sponsored Programsc_ross@howard.edu 
Ciara Charity Research Administrator ciara.charity@howard.edu 
George Young Research Administrator george.young@howard.edu
Jessica WalkerResearch Administrator jessica.walker@howard.edu 
Esther Onwuzuruike Subaward Specialist esther.onwuzuruike@howard.edu 
Javacia Harris  Contracts Negotiation Specialist j_s_harris@howard.edu 

Post-Award

Portfolio Assignments

SPO Staff MemberSPO PositionContact
Jaquion GholstonAssistant Vice President, Sponsored Programs Office Post-Awardjaquion.gholston@howard.edu
John BlandinoSenior Director, Sponsored Programs Office Post-Awardjohn.blandino@howard.edu
Claevens EstripletAssistant Director of Post Award claevens.estriplet@howard.edu 
Chelsea Gambill Manager of Post Award & UARC Operations              Chelsea.gambill@howard.edu   
Carolyn GulleyPost Award Analystcarolyn.gulley@howard.edu 
David Rives Post Award Analystdavid.rives@howard.edu
Ebenga Nzinga Post Award Analystebenga.nzinga@howard.edu 
Nichelle BrooksPost Award Analystnichelle.brooks@howard.edu 
TaJ PetersonPost Award Analysttaj.peterson@howard.edu 
William Edwards Post Award Analystwilliam.edwards1@howard.edu