Her Story
About Erica
Erica Grant is a higher education and research operations executive with more than 26 years of professional experience spanning research administration, grant facilitation, compliance, business operations, and project management. She currently serves as Managing Director at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where she has spent the past decade in research-focused roles and has recently concentrated on research compliance. Known for her leadership philosophy of identifying talented people and empowering them to perform at their best, Erica emphasizes trust, accountability, and effective collaboration rather than micromanagement.
Erica began her career at Rutgers University in 2000 as an administrative assistant in the Dean’s Office of the School of Arts and Sciences. Through determination and ambition, she advanced to Assistant Dean and later became a Grant Facilitator, supporting research and grant-related initiatives. She later served as Assistant Director for Administration at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, including work on a Department of Defense research contract, before transitioning to George Washington University. Among her professional accomplishments, Erica is especially proud of her grant work at Rutgers, which helped shape her expertise in research operations and administration.
Erica holds a B.S. in Geology from Rutgers University, an M.P.A. in Public Administration from Rutgers University, and a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. She also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and brings together legal, administrative, research, and project management expertise in her work. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Erica supports Alzheimer’s-related nonprofit organizations and values opportunities to contribute to meaningful causes. Her career reflects a willingness to pursue new opportunities, continue learning, and grow into leadership roles across higher education and research.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my tenacity and ambition. I never stop trying and I always continue to look for new roles or opportunities. I'm relentless when it comes to that.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to never become too comfortable or complacent. I believe it’s important to keep growing, stay open to new opportunities, and continuously challenge myself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to pound the pavement and can't stop trying to look for opportunities, even if you apply for hundreds of jobs. That's what it takes in this field. Also, be vocal about what you want.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is securing the funding needed to accomplish our goals and provide the necessary resources and support.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are honesty, openness, integrity, kindness, and intelligence. I strive to bring these qualities into both my professional work and personal life.
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