Introducing Gia Boersema, Assistant Vice Provost of Sponsored Programs
September 22, 2025
Dear Drexel Research Community,
We’re thrilled to share that Gia Boersema has joined the Office of Research & Innovation as our new Assistant Vice Provost of Sponsored Programs!
Gia brings more than 18 years of experience in research administration across higher education and nonprofit sectors. She is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and a familiar face at Drexel, having previously served on the Sponsored Programs team before spending the past four years at the University of Pennsylvania, where she held the role of Senior Associate Director in the Office of Research Services.
In her new role at Drexel, Gia will oversee the central administration of grants and contracts within the Office of Sponsored Programs. She will lead efforts to ensure compliance with sponsor and federal regulations, support faculty and staff in managing sponsored research, and play a pivotal role in implementing our new electronic research administration system, Novelution. Collaborating closely with partners across the Office of Research & Innovation, Gia will help streamline operations, enhance training and resources, and foster a culture of excellence in research administration as Drexel continues to expand its R1 research enterprise.
Gia’s proven ability to optimize operations, strengthen training programs, and build strong relationships with faculty and sponsors will be a tremendous asset to our team. Please join us in welcoming her to the ORI!
We look forward to continuing to enhance the ORI’s Leadership Team, with our search for the Associate Vice Provost, Research Compliance & Regulatory Affairs now underway.
The Office of Research & Innovation is committed to supporting Drexel’s research enterprise and we believe Gia’s addition will be truly beneficial to our community. Stay tuned for continued updates.
Best,
Aleister Saunders
Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation
We’re thrilled to share that Gia Boersema has joined the Office of Research & Innovation as our new Assistant Vice Provost of Sponsored Programs!
Gia brings more than 18 years of experience in research administration across higher education and nonprofit sectors. She is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) and a familiar face at Drexel, having previously served on the Sponsored Programs team before spending the past four years at the University of Pennsylvania, where she held the role of Senior Associate Director in the Office of Research Services.
In her new role at Drexel, Gia will oversee the central administration of grants and contracts within the Office of Sponsored Programs. She will lead efforts to ensure compliance with sponsor and federal regulations, support faculty and staff in managing sponsored research, and play a pivotal role in implementing our new electronic research administration system, Novelution. Collaborating closely with partners across the Office of Research & Innovation, Gia will help streamline operations, enhance training and resources, and foster a culture of excellence in research administration as Drexel continues to expand its R1 research enterprise.
Gia’s proven ability to optimize operations, strengthen training programs, and build strong relationships with faculty and sponsors will be a tremendous asset to our team. Please join us in welcoming her to the ORI!
We look forward to continuing to enhance the ORI’s Leadership Team, with our search for the Associate Vice Provost, Research Compliance & Regulatory Affairs now underway.
The Office of Research & Innovation is committed to supporting Drexel’s research enterprise and we believe Gia’s addition will be truly beneficial to our community. Stay tuned for continued updates.
Best,
Aleister Saunders
Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation