Florida State University has named Joan M. Schenkel as the new Associate Vice President for Research Administration.
A seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in higher education research administration, Schenkel joins FSU to bolster the university’s research infrastructure and support its continued growth as a top-tier research institution. She succeeds Kerry Peluso, who has served in the role since 2017 and is retiring.
“We are incredibly pleased to welcome Joan to Florida State University,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Joan’s deep expertise in the research lifecycle — from pre-award strategy to post-award compliance — will be invaluable as we continue to expand our research footprint and drive innovation.”
Schenkel comes to Florida State after a 20-year career at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Most recently, she served as the Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of Research and Technology Management, where she played a pivotal role in managing a research enterprise of $642 million.
At CWRU, she was instrumental in leading digital transformation initiatives, including the implementation of upgraded enterprise software solutions to reduce administrative burdens and improve workflow transparency.
“I am passionate about helping position universities so that researchers can do their best work and make the important discoveries and breakthroughs,” Schenkel said. “I look forward to collaborating with the talented faculty and staff at Florida State University to optimize our research operations and support the groundbreaking work being done across campus.”
Schenkel holds a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction from McDaniel College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dickinson College. She starts at Florida State on April 28.