Her Story
About Laneika
Dr. Laneika K. Musalini, Ed.D., MHRD, is a higher education executive leader with more than 24 years of experience in research administration, sponsored programs, and institutional leadership. She currently serves as Executive Director for the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she oversees pre-award administration, research strategy, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) operations. Throughout her career, she has advanced through progressively senior roles in higher education, including departmental research administration, college-level grant oversight across multiple academic units, and directorships of sponsored programs offices focused on both pre-award and post-award management. Her professional expertise centers on grant writing and management, federal compliance (including 2 CFR 200 regulations), strategic planning, financial stewardship of sponsored funds, and research infrastructure development. She has led multi-million-dollar portfolios, strengthened institutional grant capacity, and contributed to significant increases in sponsored funding at the institutions she has served. She is also actively engaged in professional service through the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA), where she contributes as a faculty member and editorial contributor, and has been recognized for her leadership and service within the research administration field. Beyond her institutional role, Dr. Musalini is the founder and president of Women’s Empowerment Incorporated, a nonprofit established in 2010 dedicated to strengthening and uplifting women through conferences, mentorship, and community-based empowerment initiatives. She is a graduate of Wingate University, where she earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Executive Leadership. Her work integrates leadership, service, and faith-based values, and she continues to focus on building equitable access to opportunity, supporting professional development in higher education, and empowering communities through education and advocacy.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laneika
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, perseverance, service, obedience to purpose, and a commitment to uplifting others. I believe that staying faithful to my calling and consistently supporting others has guided both my personal and professional achievements.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from my mother, who encouraged me to pursue the vision that eventually became Women’s Empowerment Incorporated. I also draw guidance from my faith, ministry leaders, and professional colleagues, all of whom have supported and shaped my leadership journey over time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering my industry to trust their vision, remain faithful to their purpose, be true to themselves, and never underestimate the impact they can have on others. I believe it is important to continue pursuing education, leadership opportunities, and service work while staying grounded in authenticity and faith.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I am currently facing involve navigating ongoing changes in federal funding priorities and policies that directly impact grant acquisition and retention, including recent funding reductions, increased compliance scrutiny, and shifts affecting our designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. In response, I am focused on strategically positioning my institution to sustain and grow federal support while ensuring full compliance, protecting research participants, and continuing to advance our mission of innovation, student training, workforce development, and global competitiveness in science.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are faith, service, and empowerment. I am naturally a giver, and I find fulfillment in supporting and uplifting others through both my personal calling and my work with Women’s Empowerment Incorporated. I am especially passionate about creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and valued—where they can pause, breathe, and find renewal amid the many responsibilities they carry. My goal is to remind women that they are worthy, purposeful, and not alone, and to encourage them to keep going even through difficult seasons. I also strive to remain obedient to my divine calling, prayerfully guided in my decisions and committed to walking in purpose even when the path is challenging.
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