“Sharon’s experience in working with faculty and students and her success in writing and administering a series of federal TRIO grants will bring important new capabilities to the grants office and help ensure its continued success,” Dr. Dan Farrington, director of grants and special projects, said. He also noted that her experience with student success programs would strengthen the external funding efforts in that area.

Hemmingson is looking forward to her new assignment with the grants office. "The success of the faculty and staff in securing grant and contract funding in the past five years has been phenomenal,” Hemmingson said. “One of my major roles will be to further expand the capacity of the grants office to provide ongoing technical assistance and support for faculty and staff efforts. I also hope to encourage and generate new proposals related to student persistence and achievement."

Hemmingson was previously director of student support services at BHSU. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from BHSU. Hemmingson joined the BHSU staff in 1986.

Farrington will remain director of grants and special projects in addition to  taking on additional duties as the project director for a major National Institutes of Health grant working on health disparity issues with Indian tribes in Montana and Wyoming. The grants and special projects office is being relocated to Woodburn 309.

“The addition of Sharon to the staff of the grants office is a demonstration of the university’s commitment to continuing to develop external funding options,” Farrington said.