The Office of Research has appointed Christina Leigh (Deitz) Docteur to serve as the director of proposal support services. This new role will uphold Syracuse University’s research mission and build on the University’s Carnegie ranking as an R1 research university by facilitating collaborations and supporting proposal, research and faculty development efforts.
Christina Leigh Docteur
“Christina will do an excellent job in leading this highly needed office. Under the current competitive research environment, team work is essential to be competitive. She has had extensive experience in team building and facilitating grant activities. I am excited to work with her to provide research support to our faculty, students and staff,” says Vice President for Research John Liu.
As director of proposal support services, Docteur will focus on facilitating collaboration and communication around strategic funding opportunities; managing the University’s internal funding competitions, including both internally funded seed grant programs and externally funded limited submissions; and coordinating the management of various research awards and recognition programs, both internal and external. Docteur will also spearhead the development of services and adoption of systems designed to assist faculty and research support staff in proposal development activities. Under the direction of the vice president for research, and working closely with leadership in other units, Docteur will work to build the capabilities and visibility needed to advance research, scholarship and creative activities across campus.
Docteur brings years of experience as a research development professional to the Office of Research. Working as the grant development administrator for the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs since 2004, she facilitated proposal development activities for academic departments, centers and institutes, and individual faculty and graduate students.
In addition to developing and leading or supporting regular information and training sessions on finding funding and grantsmanship for the Maxwell School and Syracuse University, Docteur has presented numerous professional development sessions for national organizations on strategies for supporting proposal development, and working across research development units at the inter- and intra-university level.
“The energy and ambition that Christina brings to the newly formed Office of Proposal Support Services is truly exciting, and I look forward to our offices working closely to collaboratively support research, scholarship and artistic engagement. She has proven to be an excellent leader in grants development activities in the Maxwell School for many years, and now she will be able to leverage that experience to benefit the entire University community,” says Stuart Taub, director of the Office of Sponsored Programs.
“There is a tremendous wave of effort within the research development and research administration communities to identify new ways and best practices to support research faculty and staff in their proposal development and research management activities,” says Docteur. “This includes finding ways to reduce administrative burden, unifying and increasing transparency around institutional procedures, and identifying areas for research collaboration and resource sharing—in the broadest sense—for the maximum cumulative benefit of the university and the greater community. I am thrilled to join the Office of Research and for the opportunity to work with Dr. Liu, a proven leader in university research initiatives, to further advance these efforts at Syracuse University.”
In addition to her role in the Dean’s Office of the Maxwell School, Docteur has also taught grant writing for the Public Affairs Program since 2012, pairing with numerous community nonprofits to pass on valuable skills to Syracuse University students while assisting community efforts.
Docteur earned her doctorate of professional studies in information management and a master’s of library science from Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Oswego.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.
