Kodi Brown: A Steady Presence Behind Millions in Research Funding
She has made her office a stress-free oasis. She keeps her lights dimmed and sits surrounded by photos of friends and family.
“I look at them whenever I get stressed,” said Kodi Brown. “I know they are proud of me and what I’ve accomplished.”
What she’s accomplished is significant. Since starting her role as a financial support coordinator, Brown has played a central role in supporting National Science Foundation (NSF) proposal submissions within the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP) at Georgia Tech.
“We are only halfway through the fiscal year, and Kodi has already handled 19 NSF submissions—surpassing her total from last year,” said SCP Director of Research Operations Mary Helen Hayes.
“These proposals represent more than $13 million, with one $350,000 award already funded and another major submission cycle still ahead. Kodi’s growth reflects not only increasing expertise, but also a deep commitment to supporting faculty and doing the work well.”
In her first year submitting proposals, Brown handled half of the school’s 24 NSF proposals. The selected grants brought in $900,000 in research funding for SCP faculty.
“It was hard at first, but once I got a system in place, it got easier,” she said. “It definitely made me more organized. I don’t thrive in chaos, so I have to be as organized as possible.”
Brown recognized early on that success in this space required both structure and relationships. She created automated checklists and follow-up reminders, built strong partnerships with colleagues across campus, and developed systems that help her stay organized while keeping faculty supported and informed.
“Her attention to detail ensures that each proposal receives the care it deserves and that all submissions’ unique requirements are respected,” said Hayes. “Kodi’s growth reflects not only increasing expertise, but a deep commitment to supporting faculty and doing the work well.”
Growing is what brought Brown to SCP in the first place. While working as an administrative specialist in another department, she didn’t feel challenged. In 2022, when she saw an opening in the brand-new School of Cybersecurity and Privacy, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I was looking for something new, somewhere I could grow into the role I wanted,” she said.
“With the school being so new at the time, it really drew me in to applying.”
She was the third staff member to join SCP and immediately began serving the school’s growing faculty and students as a senior administrative professional. This meant she was on the hiring and welcoming committee for every new staff member who joined SCP.
"Kodi has been instrumental in training new staff and growing the department," said Administrative Manager Regina Anderson. "She has proven time and time again that she is dedicated to the success and growth of the school. I am so very proud of all that she has accomplished and excited for her future."
Throughout her four years at the school and six at Georgia Tech, she feels like she has seen every side of an administrative role.
“I never thought when I joined SCP that I’d end up doing financial work,” she said. “Now though I can do those proposals in my sleep.”
As NSF deadlines approach each February and September, the pace in research units across campus accelerates. Multiple complex proposals advance simultaneously, each with its own requirements, budget structures, and submission timelines. For Brown, it’s where preparation meets pressure.
Rather than being overwhelmed by the volume, she relies on the systems she has built — automated checklists, carefully timed reminders, and strong working relationships across campus. The structure keeps her steady, even when the pace intensifies.
“I don’t thrive in chaos,” she said. “So I make sure there isn’t any.”
That approach has supported millions of dollars in research proposals and helped faculty navigate some of the school’s busiest submission cycles. It has also shaped Brown’s path, expanding her skills and confidence with each new round of deadlines.
Back in her softly lit office, surrounded by photos of the people who inspire her, Brown continues building the career she once hoped to grow into — one organized system at a time.
