The NCURA Region III Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce the results of the Incoming Chair-Elect Election.
Erika Cottingham has been elected as the Region III Incoming Chair-Elect.
Erika Cottingham brings more than twenty-four years of expertise to her role as Director of Research Program Development,Contract & Grant Administration at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. A Certified Research Administrator since 2007, she has demonstrated leadership in both pre- and post-award research administration and financial management across a range of distinguished institutions. Erika’s career highlights include executive positions at UnitedWay of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus State University, Emory University, UNC Charlotte, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and University of Cincinnati, as well as consulting for Morehouse School of Medicine.
Erika has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the advancement of research administration through her twenty-yearcommitment to the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). This long-standing involvement underscores her passion for professional service and continuous learning within the field, further enriching hercontributions to the academic and research communities.
In addition to her responsibilities at Auburn, Erika currently serves as the sponsorship coordinator for NCURA Region 3, where she fosters collaborative partnerships and supports the advancement of research administrationacross the southeastern United States.
With a proven record of guiding diverse teams and mobilizing communities, Erika N. Cottingham possesses the leadershipacumen essential for steering volunteer organizations toward impactful service. She has demonstrated the ability to inspire collaboration, cultivate enduring partnerships, and implement initiatives that empower volunteers to achievecollective goals.
She is also the founder and principal of Cottingham Consulting Group, LLC, offering strategic planning and grantsmanagement services.
Throughout her career, Erika has built a reputation as a creative problem solver, developing robust policies and professional development programs to advance the research missions of the organizations she serves. Her experience spans grant and contract management for government, non-profit, and industry partners. Erika’s academiccredentials include a Master of Education from Liberty University and bachelor’s degrees from Temple Baptist College and College of Mt. St. Joseph. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Rho Omega chapter, and has completed doctoral coursework toward a Doctorate of Higher Education Administration at Columbus State University.