The Business Systems and Operations Team manages and optimizes the systems and processes that support the administration of research grants and contracts. The team’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day administrative and financial operations in Sponsored Programs; maintaining software systems related to research administration; refining workflows to maximize efficiency; keeping accurate records of all sponsored projects; and generating reports to support decision-making, compliance and strategic planning.
The team also plays a crucial role in providing training and support to the Nebraska research community, providing user guides, workshops and one-on-one assistance to ensure researchers are using sponsored programs systems effectively. Team members collaborate with other university units and external sponsors to facilitate smooth operations.
402-472-3775
Mardi Bonner
Mardi is a veteran of Sponsored Programs, with significant experience in processing awards using the university’s electronic research administration system. She ensures accuracy and consistency in awards data by comparing entries in NuRamp with information in SAP. Mardi enters all award information from the University of Nebraska Foundation into NuRamp, prepares the quarterly grants report for the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, and collects and updates information for the annual Research and Creative Activity Report.
Mardi has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kearney State College, now known as the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She started at UNL in 1978 and transitioned to Sponsored Programs in 1982 as a clerical assistant. Mardi has broadened her role over the years as she gained expertise.
402-472-0867
Andrea Koeber, MA, MBA
Andrea’s role harnesses her expertise in electronic research administration and love of all things technology, tasking her with supporting NuRamp, the University of Nebraska’s electronic research administration portal; managing access to federal and non-federal sponsor systems; maintaining the Sponsored Programs website; and performing reporting as needed. She’s also collaborating with OSP team members to improve processes across the office and implement automation where possible.
Across her career, Andrea has worked in academic and private business settings in a variety of roles, from academic researcher to accounts payable/receivable. She came to Nebraska in 2014 as a grants specialist in the College of Engineering, then spent seven years on OSP’s Pre-Award Team before assuming her current role in 2021. Andrea has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
402-472-3788
Connie Wieser
Connie has a wide range of responsibilities in Sponsored Programs, including handling receipts and processing checks, managing key access and parking permits, supporting new hires, managing meeting spaces, and processing mail and deliveries. She also maintains Whittier’s copy and vending machines and other equipment and serves as the custodial contact and building maintenance reporter. Connie supports Research Compliance Services, Research Communications and other ORED units as needed.
Connie brings a wealth of university operations experience to her role, including nine years in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences and four years as the staff assistant to the dean of enrollment in Academic Services and Enrollment Management. In total, she’s gained 20 years of institutional knowledge at Nebraska. Connie has an Accounting and Computer Programming Certificate from the Lincoln School of Commerce and has completed coursework toward an associate degree in business and accounting.
