Sherry, director of the Social Science Research Institute Administrative Core in the Office of the Vice President for Research, has served Penn State for her entire professional career, beginning in 1983 when she joined Pattee Library as a clerk and typist. She subsequently worked her way up into positions of increased responsibility, joining the Population Research Institute in 1992 as the assistant to the director and coordinator of research and administrative services in 1998. When SSRI was launched in 2001, Sherry assumed oversight of its administration and about 200 staff members.
One nominator said Sherry has been “the institutional glue for the outstanding grant performance record of the PRI faculty. Her expansive knowledge of Penn State and numerous federal agency and foundation grant procedures has been invaluable for the research productivity of hundreds of members of faculty.” Another praised Sherry’s efforts to remain at the top of her field by remaining active in various university and national groups, adding: “It is hard to imagine a more deserving candidate for this award.”
Congratulations, Sherry.