Laura Qaissaunee

Successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive grants strategy at Brookdale Community College, which included securing external funding, establishing processes and procedures, managing the research process, and overseeing grants management and compliance.

Significantly contributed to the college's ability to secure and manage $5M to $7M in grant funds annually effectively, supporting the institutional strategic priorities.

Responsibilities:

1. Developed and implemented comprehensive grants strategy aligning college needs with institutional goals and secured external resources funding from public and private sources

• Created, designed, and implemented processes and procedures related to grant management and proposal development

2. Led development and delivery of training, technical support, and guidance for faculty, staff, and administrators throughout grant life cycle

• Increased awareness of funding opportunities campus-wide
• Ensured technical compliance with grant criteria in grant narratives
• Supported development of skills needed to generate competitive grants

3. Oversaw grants management, reporting, and compliance processes of all funded programs

• Established cooperative working relationships with external partners including funding agencies, auditors, and community partners
• Advised project directors and principal investigators on negotiation of new grants, effective startups, and grant management issues
• Negotiated with grant agencies on budget modifications based on ongoing program assessment

4. Managed grants office administration

• Monitored preparation of monthly Board of Trustee’s material for all grant submissions and acceptances of grants and tangible gifts
• Tracked all grant activity and prepared reports representing awards, submissions, and year-to-year comparisons
• Maintained grants database, centralized files for records retention, and comprehensive e-library of funding sources
• Supervised, interviewed, recommended for employment, and evaluated staff

Worked with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify appropriate funding opportunities and assisted with grant process from planning through project implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Identified funding opportunities in support of faculty research and assisted in development and preparation of grant proposals to support institutional priorities
• Coordinated PSC CUNY system grant process in collaboration with faculty
• Worked as liaison between college and Research Foundation in fiscal management of all grants
• Supported Executive Director with all aspects of day-to-day operation of office of sponsored programs