Missy Jenkins

Missy Jenkins
Program Manager
Office of Research and Innovation

Within weeks of starting at Texas Tech, Missy Jenkins took over the management of a large, multi-million-dollar proposal which required exceptional organization and time management skills. Since then, she has worked on several other large proposals with senior researchers as well as worked with new faculty to help them develop their first proposals and locate the resources needed for a successful submission. Shortly after she started, Texas Tech staff were required to quarantine and work from home due to COVID-19. Missy was determined to find ways to keep faculty engaged. She developed the idea for several virtual series for faculty professional development. She launched “Working with Program Officers” and invited program officers from federal agencies to engage with faculty virtually. She also implemented “Coffee Collaborations”, which are intended to develop collaborations and connections among faculty over various topics. Since launching these virtual series in summer 2020, she has hosted twelve program officers, with 451 total attendees, and eight coffee collaborations, with 192 total attendees. She has done an excellent job developing innovative ways to help faculty continue, and in some instances even increase, their productivity amidst the challenges of the pandemic.