|
Summer 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the newly re-designed RACC Newsletter! Whether you're studying for certification, newly certified, or a seasoned professional, we hope this updated newsletter informs your path forward. Thank you for being part of the RACC community!
In this issue, you'll find:
-
New CRA®, CPRA®, and CFRA Certificants
- Uniform Guidance Updates to Exams
-
CRA® Highlight
- Resource Center
- Co-Editor Updates
- RACC Merchandise Store
| | New CRA®, CPRA®, and CFRA Certificants | | |
We are excited to announce the newest Certified Research Administrators (CRA®), Certified Pre-Award Research Administrators (CPRA®), and Certified Financial Research Administrators (CFRA). Achieving certification is a major professional milestone and we're proud to recognize everyone's hard work. Congratulations to all!
See someone you know on the list? Send them a shoutout — a little recognition goes a long way!
Please visit our website for more information about being newly certified:
Information for New Certificants
| | Uniform Guidance Updates to Exams | | The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) has updated all its materials in accordance with changes to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) that took effect October 1, 2024. | As of July 1, 2025, references to the Uniform Guidance in all RACC exams (CRA®, CPRA®, and CFRA), RACC Body of Knowledge Review sessions, and RACC practice exams will reflect the revised guidance. | | Katy Gathron, MS, MPH, CRA®, Grant Program Manager at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | |
We caught up with Katy Gathron, who holds the CRA® certification, to learn more about her certification journey and the impact the CRA® has had on her career.
When did you earn your CRA®? How did you prepare for the exam?
I earned my CRA® in June 2024. To prepare, I participated in the RACC CRA® Body of Knowledge Review Session and completed the Texas A&M University CRA® prep course. I also practiced with quizzes modeled after the University of Texas CRA® prep course and made extensive use of the practice exams and quizzes provided through the Texas A&M course materials.
How has your role changed since you earned your CRA®?
Earning my CRA® significantly expanded my career opportunities. Shortly afterward, I transitioned from Baylor College of Medicine, where I had worked for nearly four years, to a management position at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
What benefits has the CRA® certification had on your career?
Earning my CRA® certification was a pivotal moment in my career. It noticeably accelerated my job search—interviews and offers came much more quickly compared to previous experiences. The certification was frequently discussed during interviews and clearly set me apart as a candidate. Beyond job opportunities, the CRA® has deepened my knowledge and established me as a subject matter expert. It has enhanced my confidence when engaging with PIs and colleagues, and it has strengthened my contributions in my role as a Board of Directors Member of NCURA.
Want to share your experience in the next Highlight? Send us a message at info@cra-cert.org.
| | |
Test Preparation Resources – Studying for an exam? Check out the following resources to help prepare!
-
RACC Body of Knowledge Review Sessions
- These sessions help you understand the key topics covered in RACC certifications (CRA®, CPRA®, and CFRA) and identify areas to focus on as you prepare for your exam.
- Study Groups
- There are several excellent study groups around. One that RACC loves for the CRA® is the Virginia Tech CRA Study Team. This is an online guided self-study program open to research administrators from any institution preparing for the CRA® exam.
- Listservs
- Listservs like resadm-l offer great opportunities to connect with other test takers, share and find study resources, and access information relevant to the exam.
| | |
Contact Hours – Don’t forget to earn and track contact hours for recertification!
-
Earning Contact Hours: Learn more on how to earn contact hours! You can earn contact hours through professional development, service, and even writing. See the full list of eligible activities.
- Tracking Contact Hours: Keep your certification current by logging contact hours from eligible professional development and research administration activities. Use RACC's tracking tool to record entries and uploaded documentation with ease.
- In your RACC portal, click on the “Track Your Contact Hours Here!” button.
- Click the “Add Credit” button on the right side of the page.
- Enter the requested information for your contact hour(s).
- Click "Save".
- Once you save your entry, you will then be able to upload and store documentation for that entry.
| |
- Contact Hour Opportunities
-
Professional Organization Involvement – Are you active in a professional organization? Whether you're presenting at a conference, writing an article, or serving on a committee, many of these activities can count toward your contact hours! Activities like presenting, publishing, or volunteering may be eligible — just be sure they relate to research administration and are outside of your regular job duties. Examples of eligible organizations include:
- Society of Research Administrators International
- National Council of University of Research Administrators
| | |
RACC is thrilled to welcome Carol Bitzinger and Katie Gomez Freeman as the new co-editors for the RACC newsletter!
Carol Bitzinger, MA, is a Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist at The Ohio State University, providing full lifecycle support for several units in the College of Arts & Sciences. She received her CRA® in December 2024. A member of NCURA’s Young Professionals committee, she is also a co-contributing editor for the NCURA Magazine Young and New Professionals Track. Outside work, Carol is an avid runner, foodie, traveler, and dog mom. Contact Carol at bitzinger.1@osu.edu.
Katie Gomez Freeman, Assistant Director of Special Projects/Education at Southern Utah University, specializes in life cycle support and education. She received her CRA® in December 2022. A member of the national NCURA Young Professionals and Professional Development committees, she is also a co-contributing editor for the NCURA Magazine Young and New Professionals Track. In her free time she likes to travel, play pickleball, and watch movies. Contact Katie at katiegomez@suu.edu.
| | We're excited to launch the official RACC Merchandise Store, your new go-to for apparel and accessories that celebrate the research administration profession. From t-shirts to mugs (with more on the way!), every purchase supports scholarships, outreach, and our growing community. | | Want to stay in the loop? Click the “Sign Me Up!” button to get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. If you change your mind, simply click “Let Me Go!” anytime to unsubscribe. | | |
WHAT IS THE RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS
CERTIFICATION COUNCIL (RACC)?
The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) formed in 1993 as an independent non-profit organization. RACC certifies that an individual, through experience and testing, has the fundamental knowledge necessary to be a professional research or sponsored programs administrator.
| | Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to receive RACC updates, learn about contact hour opportunities, and celebrate milestones! | | | | |
