NSPAA 2016 Technical Assistance Workshop Program Agenda | Page 31

PRESENTERS (cont’d)

Ms. Kris Rhodes, As a Director within the MAXIMUS Higher Education Practice, Ms. Rhodes is
responsible for working with universities and nonprofits to improve grant and contract operations.
Services include operational assessments, business process improvement, strategic planning for
research, policy and process documentation, audit response assistance, and support of online and in
person training. Ms. Rhodes is a Certified Research Administrator with 20+ years of management
experience in research and sponsored program administration. She has a BA in Public Administration
and a MS in Soil Science and Statistics.
Prior to her employment with MAXIMUS, Ms. Rhodes held various administrative leadership positions, where her
responsibilities have included research capacity enhancement, proposal submission support, award negotiation and
acceptance, account establishment, budget management, cost accounting compliance, administrative reporting, training,
and audit management. Other professional activities include service as a National Institute of Health Fiscal and
Administrative Reviewer and SRA International Board member and Distinguished Faculty.

Mr. Michael Hester, President & CEO of the Minority Serving Institutions STEM Research &
Development Consortium, (MSRDC) is a seasoned, visionary leader and analytical business
strategist with over 22 years of experience in managing large-scale programs for nonprofits and
educational institutions. In addition to having expertise in strategic change management and
organizational processes, Mr. Hester has additionally demonstrated expertise in connecting
minority institutions of higher education and small disadvantaged businesses to contracting
opportunities in the federal marketplace. Mr. Hester graduated from Duke University with a
Bachelor of Arts in English and received the Master of Public Administration degree from North
Carolina Central University. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Southeastern
University, Guilford Technical Community College, and Saint Augustine’s College.

Mr. Glenn E. Hames, Director of Membership Engagement for the MSI STEM R&D Consortium
(MSRDC). He is responsible for leading corporate-wide business development initiatives, building
strategic partnerships and securing new business opportunities and funded programs that are aimed at
building capacity and eliminating disparity that exists in Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
On a daily basis, Mr. Hames engages with HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions in higher
education by providing various strategic efforts to help drive integration of synergistic relationships
and acquisitions. In addition to MSRDC, Mr. Hames is an Adjunct Professor, teaching math and
business classes at Sanford-Brown College and Trinity Washington University. He holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in
Greensboro, North Carolina and an MBA in Management from The College of William & Mary in
Williamsburg, Virginia.

“Expanding Sponsored Programs and Research Possibilities With
Contracts: Understanding The Requirements For Success”
June 7-10, 2016
Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, Arlington, VA

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