To: All RIO Staff
From: Cynthia Carnes, Vice President for Research and Innovation
Subject: RIO Leadership Updates
Date: September 18, 2026
Dear RIO colleagues,
It is hard to believe that nearly two months have already passed since I stepped into my role as Vice President for Research and Innovation in late July. During this time, I have had the privilege of meeting so many of you across our centers, institutes, and support units. I am deeply impressed by your expertise, your dedication, and the passion you bring to your work every day. The strength of RIO lies entirely in its people, and I could not be prouder to lead and work alongside such an extraordinary team.
Leadership Searches
We have two active searches underway for critical leadership roles designed to advance our strategic priorities:
- Senior Associate Vice President for Research Development and Strategy
This new leadership position will shape our research strategy, expand interdisciplinary development, position faculty teams for emerging funding, and align our work with the University's Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap. We are working with search firm Isaacson, Miller to identify prospective candidates and support the search and review process. - Associate Vice President for Research Administration
We are launching a new search for this position, which will oversee university-wide research administrative operations units and represent RIO on key institutional committees. Under a new structure designed to support an integrated approach, this role will oversee Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA), the Office of Cost Analysis (OCA), and the Office of Research Information Systems (ORIS). Isaacson, Miller is also supporting this search. Many thanks to April Coon, who will continue to serve as Interim AVP until a permanent hire is in place.
Leadership and Reporting Updates (Effective October 1)
- JoonHyung Cho will transition to Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff to support me with institutional strategy, executive coordination, and priority initiatives. He will also retain leadership of RIO's external affairs portfolio, serving as our primary liaison with the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Corporate Engagement Center, and Government Relations.
- Erin Dennis, RIO Internal Communications Director, will step into the role of Interim Senior Director for Strategic Communications as we prepare to relaunch the search following a brief pause to adjust the position's scope. Reporting directly to me with a dual line to the University's Chief Communications Officer, Erin will lead our overall marketing and communications efforts, fostering stronger alignment across the central enterprise. Thank you to Erin for stepping into this key role.
- Megan Ferden, RIO Human Resources Director, will now report directly to me, with a dotted line to the Vice President of Human Resources. This update aligns with institutional best practices and ensures that our HR strategies closely align with the VPRI office's long-term vision.
Looking Ahead
I am excited to see my executive leadership team come together, and I am eager to leverage their collective expertise to support your work, streamline our operations, and position RIO for long-term success. Together, we are building a strong, agile foundation that will elevate our entire research enterprise and ensure our university remains at the forefront of discovery and innovation. This momentum is just the beginning; as we continue to evolve, you can look forward to further positive enhancements and strategic refinements designed to empower our community and amplify our impact.
Thank you again for your warm welcome over these past two months, your continued partnership, and everything you do each day to support our research community.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Carnes, PharmD, PhD
Vice President for Research and Innovation