Nicole Dadurian
Houston
Summary
Resourceful professional in the field of education administration, known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in strategic planning, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Excel in leveraging communication skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving techniques to foster educational excellence and improve institutional performance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Proposal Specialist I and II
Rice University
Houston
04.2016 - Current
- Spearheaded multi-PI grant proposals and submissions for faculty across Physics/Astronomy, Chemistry, Math, BioSciences, and Earth Sciences within the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, overseeing 300+ submissions annually.
- Lead all aspects of grant development, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity while optimizing proposal strategies to align with Rice University and funding agency requirements.
- Managed grant project progress, financial transactions, and documentation while fostering collaborations with funding agencies, sub-award partners, and external stakeholders to ensure timely and compliant submissions.
- Provide strategic support to PIs in grant applications, contract interpretation, budget management, and expenditure tracking to maximize funding efficiency.
- Identified and analyzed funding opportunities, maintained detailed tracking systems, and streamlined proposal workflows using customized templates and procurement compliance strategies to enhance proposal quality.
- Delivered training programs and policy enhancements, optimizing workflows to elevate operational efficiency and improve research administration outcomes.
- Conduct surveys, analyze stakeholder feedback, and implement targeted solutions to enhance grant processes and faculty support.
Adjunct English Professor
San Jacinto College - South and Central Campuses
Houston
09.2013 - Current
- Deliver engaging face-to-face and online instruction in English Composition and British Literature, creating dynamic learning experiences that foster critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Evaluated student writing with precision, providing constructive feedback that enhanced comprehension and writing proficiency while refining teaching strategies through self-assessment.
- Developed and managed course content and communications using Blackboard, ensuring seamless instruction and accessibility for all learners.
- Maintained commitment to student support, offering guidance through conference hours and email correspondence to promote success and intellectual growth.
Grants/Contracts Specialist, School of Nursing
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston
11.2013 - 04.2016
- Supported School of Nursing faculty in securing multi-PI grants, driving a significant increase in funding from $500K in 2013 to over $1 million in 2016 while ensuring strict compliance with Federal and UTMB regulations.
- Managed grant development, overseeing proposal review, budget preparation, financial tracking, and contract interpretation to enhance funding opportunities.
- Maintained and updated databases, reports, and spreadsheets to effectively monitor grant progress, track expenses, and manage purchase orders and financial transactions.
- Processed financial and purchasing functions, conducting audits, reconciliations, and expenditure monitoring to ensure fiscal integrity and compliance.
Grants Development Assistant, Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston
03.2009 - 11.2013
- Managed all aspects of grant development, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strategic budget planning while interpreting contract terms to mitigate financial and legal risks.
- Collaborated with principal investigators and funding agencies, organized grant writing seminars, and optimized database tools to streamline proposal development and submission.
- Performed funding searches, analyzed opportunities, and maintained tracking systems to improve faculty access to research funding.
- Assisted Grants Development Associate in managing multi-PI, multidisciplinary grant proposals, contributing to increase in funded grants from 30 in 2009 to over 400 in 2013.
Administrator for the School of Human Sciences & Humanities, Dean's Office
The University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston
01.2007 - 03.2009
- Provided administrative support to faculty, adjuncts, and leadership team, facilitating seamless operations and enhancing overall efficiency.
- Coordinated communication and strategic initiatives as Secretary for the HSH Secretaries' Committee, promoting collaboration and alignment within the school.
- Coordinated administrative operations for academic departments and faculty support.
- Managed schedules, meetings, and communications for university projects and events.
- Processed documentation for student admissions and registration efficiently.
Instructional Designer/Project Manager, School of Mathematics Education
Texas A&M University
College Station
01.2004 - 06.2005
- Oversaw development and management of grants, presentations, newsletters, website content, and academic articles for Middle School Mathematics Project (MSMP) and Mathematics Education, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with institutional goals to enhance program visibility and engagement.
- Supervise a cognitive research group in Mathematics Education, directing daily operations within the College of Education & Human Development to support innovative research and instructional strategies.
- Prepare and update annual $1 million grant documentation for submission to Texas A&M University's Research Department, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and institutional standards.
- Managed MSMP grant's operating budget, tracked expenditures and financial allocations, and optimized resource utilization to support program success and sustainability.
Interim Publisher & Managing Editor, The Madisonville Meteor
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
Portland
01.2001 - 11.2003
- Directed editorial strategy and publication management for weekly publication, overseeing content development, newsroom operations, and fostering community engagement.
- Managed editorial schedules and production timelines for multiple publishing projects.
- Collaborated with authors and illustrators to refine manuscript content and design.
- Oversaw proofreading and editing processes to ensure high-quality publications.
News Editor, The Sealy News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
Sealy
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Directed news coverage and edited impactful stories while managing newsroom workflow for biweekly publication, delivering timely and quality releases.
Editor & Office Manager, The Portland News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
Portland
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Coordinated editorial production and office operations for weekly publication and facilitated seamless content creation and effective staff collaboration.
Education
Educational Leadership Doctrine EdD - Higher Education Administration
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Houston, TX05-2028
MA - LITERATURE with Emphasis in TECHNICAL WRITING
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TXBA - COMMUNICATIONS
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Houston, TXAA - JOURNALISM
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TXSkills
- Funding Acquisition
- ProposalCentral
- Grantsgov
- Evisions Cayuse SP & 424
- Cayuse Systems
- NIH ERA Commons
- HRSA
- Researchgov
- NASA NSPIRES
- DOE PAMS
- FEDConnect
- InfoEd
- Compliance
- Data Analysis
- Data Management
- Process Optimization
- Project Management
- LMS Course Creation
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Suite
- Google Suite
- Banner
- PeopleSoft
- In4Grants
- ScienceCV (NCBI)
Certification
- Pre-Award Certifications, NCURA and SRAI conferences, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
- Post-Award Certification, SRAI, 2023
- Blackboard Online Teaching Certification, San Jacinto College, 2018
- ACUE Certification for Online Teaching, 2023
- Professional Development Certification, NCURA Conference, 2024
- Go2Knowledge Certification in Student Mental Health, 2024
Publications
- Poster Presentation, Pre-Award Services Done the O.W.L. Way: Orchestrating Written Extramural Research Proposals for Lending (OWL), Dadurian, N., 10/01/23, The Society of Researchers International (SRAI) Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA
- Conference Presentation, Workplace Bullying and Microaggressions: Preventing Regressive Bullying in Research Administration, Dadurian, N., 04/01/25, The Society of Researchers International Virtual Conference
Timeline
Proposal Specialist I and II
Rice University
04.2016 - Current
Grants/Contracts Specialist, School of Nursing
University of Texas Medical Branch
11.2013 - 04.2016
Adjunct English Professor
San Jacinto College - South and Central Campuses
09.2013 - Current
Grants Development Assistant, Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Houston - Clear Lake
03.2009 - 11.2013
Administrator for the School of Human Sciences & Humanities, Dean's Office
The University of Houston - Clear Lake
01.2007 - 03.2009
Instructional Designer/Project Manager, School of Mathematics Education
Texas A&M University
01.2004 - 06.2005
Interim Publisher & Managing Editor, The Madisonville Meteor
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.2001 - 11.2003
News Editor, The Sealy News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.2000 - 01.2001
Editor & Office Manager, The Portland News
San Patricio Publishing/ Granite Publications
01.1999 - 01.2000
Educational Leadership Doctrine EdD - Higher Education Administration
University of Houston-Clear Lake
MA - LITERATURE with Emphasis in TECHNICAL WRITING
University of Houston - Clear Lake
BA - COMMUNICATIONS
University of Houston - Clear Lake
AA - JOURNALISM
Del Mar College