University grants set all-time mark

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by Mary Lisa Russell

When Dr. Robert Mikell was notified his research project was chosen for a $242,000 grant last month, he was elated to learn his project was selected from nearly 1,600 applicants from across the United States.

But according to Dr. Tom McClanahan, associate vice president for university grants and research, Fresno State faculty and staff are becoming increasingly competitive in obtaining state and federal funding. McClanahan said the university recorded $17,109,835 in grants and contracts last year ­ a significant increase of more than 30 percent over the previous year, surpassing a 10 percent increase from the year before.

"I didn't realize there were so many people competing for the money," said Mikell. "I'm just thrilled my project made the final cut on a national scale."

Mikell, a professor of ethnic studies, will direct his multicultural project with assist-ance from Anne Murphy and Steve Price, both administrators in teacher recruitment.

"This distance learning project targets and recruits multicultural paraprofessionals (teacher aides) as potential teachers," said Mikell.

Considered a prestigious and difficult award to win, Mikell's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant is only one of a very few ever claimed by Fresno State. Last year, only two percent of the FIPSE proposals were funded.

"Fresno State had a total of 350 successful grant proposals in fiscal year '99," said McClanahan. Commending Mikell and dozens of other faculty and staff who worked so hard for the limited grant dollars, McClanahan said there have been many notable awards on campus lately.

"The SMP3 [Science, Mathematics Preservice Partnership Program] award was more than $2 million and works toward developing an improved secondary science and math teacher preparation program through the university and Fresno Unified School District," said McClanahan.

"Our grants range from agriculture to teacher preparation," said McClanahan. "Last year's grants and contracts had a good representation across the university's various disciplines."

Being persistent with a proposal, according to McClanahan, can help faculty and staff get their project funded. The Public Telecommunications Facilities Program grant, directed by Jim Forden, Central Valley Technology Center, was submitted twice before it was awarded. Forden's tenacity paid off with a grant of $594,936 for distance learning programs.

The proposal's quality of personnel and detailed plans also can help land awards. Reflecting top quality, Dr. Vida Samiian, associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, received $31,140 in the form of a planning grant for major curriculum development using new technologies from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Whether it's grants and contracts in agriculture, the arts, our environment or technology, McClanahan says the credit for our university's success belongs to the faculty and staff. "Their expertise, experience and energy are Fresno State's strongest assets."

"It is also important not to lose sight of the major goal of grants and contracts," said McClanahan. "The main purposes are to enhance and expand learning opportunities for students and professional growth for faculty and staff."