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University of South Florida Polytechnic received one of USF's first TRAIN Awards

Nereida Polanco, assistant director of business, finance and auxiliary services at the University of South Florida Polytechnic, has received one of USF's first TRAIN Awards.

Implemented this fall by The Research Administration Improvement Network (TRAIN) at USF, with support from the Offices of Research & Innovation and the Provost, the TRAIN Award recognizes those who have significantly contributed to TRAIN's initiative to build the university's research support infrastructure by enhancing the professional competencies of those who contribute to the research enterprise, implementing training and education, improving business processes and reporting, and enhancing communication within the research community.

"I am very proud to represent USF Poly as a TRAIN member," says Polanco. "Receiving the award was very exciting, especially since I was the only nomination from a regional campus. I am very happy that our work here at USF Poly is recognized in the USF System as an example for research management in higher education."

Nereida Polanco. Photo by Jeane Vincent, USF Polytechnic.)

Dr. Judith Ponticell, senior associate vice president, nominated Polanco for the award.

"Nereida Polanco has been foundational to the efforts of the USF Polytechnic campus to build the financial support structure necessary to develop accurate budgets in the grant proposal development stage, to manage grant expenditures and complete financial transactions accurately, to monitor grant budgets and complete timely adjustments where warranted, and to close grants efficiently and effectively," says Ponticell. "Her efforts have been integral to increased grant proposal activity as faculty and staff feel that the task of grant fiscal management is more transparent, more efficient and monitored well by the campus' business and finance unit.

"Ms. Polanco's knowledge of policy and procedure have contributed greatly to improved fiscal management overall on the campus. Her ability to access, interpret, implement and communicate policy and procedural requirements has reduced error and duplication of efforts, in addition to enhancing staff knowledge and skill and improving processes in general."

A resident of Lake Wales, Polanco joined USF Poly in 2006.