Dr. Jarralynne Agee to Keynote at Penn State's STAIR Summit

Dr. Jarralynne Agee, Principal Investigator at Miles College, has been invited to serve as a keynote speaker at Penn State's upcoming STAIR Summit. Her presentation will focus on her topic, A Brand-New Band: Leadership Lessons from a Five-Campus NSF Research Collective, which will delve into the intricacies of leading complex, multi-institutional research initiatives in today’s environment.

Overview of the STAIR Summit

The inaugural STAIR Summit is scheduled for April 20–21, 2026, at Penn State University. This summit recognizes the evolving complexity of research administration and aims to address the limited professional development opportunities available in this field. By providing a platform for mutual learning, collaboration, and sustained engagement, the STAIR Summit fosters a vibrant network of support that strengthens research infrastructure and sustains interest in research administration careers.

Summit Themes

• Primary Theme: The Research Administration Leadership Summit 2026

• Secondary Theme: Inter-institutional collaborations and workforce development

Keynote Topic Overview

In her keynote address, Dr. Agee will share insights drawn from her experience leading a five-campus, National Science Foundation–funded research capacity collective. Utilizing the metaphor of forming a brand-new band, she will discuss how independent institutions can collaborate effectively, despite their unique strengths and challenges.

This talk will not only cover high-level strategies but will also focus on the operational leadership necessary for successful collaboration. Dr. Agee will highlight essential elements such as:

• Effective partnerships with staff managing budgets, compliance, and reporting

• Strategic decisions on system and tool investments

• Understanding the role of AI in supporting research administration

• Aligning faculty ambitions with administrative capacities

• Transforming cross-campus partnerships into operational realities

By blending strategic perspectives with practical experiences, Dr. Agee's keynote will reframe research administration as a form of adaptive leadership, emphasizing the importance of relationships, timing, and everyday decisions alongside policy and structure. Attendees will gain a practical, people-centered leadership framework designed for managing multi-institutional research initiatives and fostering long-term growth.