Page History

I

began my accounting career at Kemper CPA Group in February 2013. While there I obtained my Certified Public Accountant License (CPA) in March 2017. I then transitioned to the University, specifically University Accounting and Financial Reporting (UAFR) in October 2017, where I specialized in gift funds. I was given the opportunity to be the Controller for Cisna Park Co-op in November 2018, and left the University. I transitioned back to the University in January 2021 as a Grants and Contracts Specialist for NCSA handling mostly NIFA awards for the Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA). When an opportunity came available to lead the business office, I was excited about the possibility of advancing in NCSA. I am excited to continue working for my alma mater. Working with the amazing staff, BO, and PIs at NCSA is the highlight of my job!

I graduated from the University of Illinois with my Bachelors in Accountancy in May 2014. I also received my Masters in Accounting Science in May 2015. 

Outside of my career, I grew up in Champaign county on a family farm. My husband and I live in Oklahoma and raise Shorthorn and Charolais cattle together. We have a rambunctious 5 year old who loves farming and the cattle. In our spare time, you can find us camping, boating, at cattle shows, or traveling. I love to read, bake, run, hike, and spend time with family/friends!

• Oversee NCSA Fiscal Management
• Responsible for Center-wide Policy related to Financial Management
• Develop Business Office Operational Strategies
• Manage the Business Office Professionals
• Advise NCSA Senior Leadership
• Provide Analysis and Strategies to Maximize Resources
• Interact with OVCRI, Internal Audits, SPA, Budget Office, Purchasing, Payables, etc.
• Advocate for Policies and Solutions for NCSA
• Establish a Welcoming and Supportive Culture
• Financial Manager for the following projects:
  
  • Vikram Adve - AIFARMS (NIFA)
  • Vikram Adve - AIFARMS Phenorob Partnership (NIFA)

I began working at the University/NCSA in 2012 within the Business Office.  I've had the privilege of working with many of the groups/awards/PIs within the Center over this period.  One thing that I enjoy about NCSA (and that has kept me here) is that there is always a new challenge and each day offers something different.

Outside of work I enjoy sports (Cubs/Bears/Illini), fishing, and spending time with family & friends. 

Financial Manager for the following:

• Industry Program
• BA4 Administrator
• Tableau Coordinator
• Implement the Business office functions and operations

• Financial Manager of the following:
  • NFI
  • Blue Waters

• • Bill Kramer's grants/MOU's
  • Bill Gropp MRI/HAL grant
  • IL Campus Computes
• Activity Reporting System
• Semi-Annual Confirmations Coordinator

After joining the University I spent three and a half years as an award negotiator in Sponsored Programs building a base of knowledge in the minutiae of grant contract, federal rules, and University requirements. I'm enjoying the opportunity to be more engaged in assisting the actual research while expanding my knowledge of the whole grant lifecycle. 

Prior to joining the University I spent nine years at Busey Bank progressing from Customer Service Representative in their call center to Business Integration Director. In that time I grew my customer service and corporate writing skills. I also developed a deep understanding of marketing and corporate communications, process improvement, and UX and product enhancement. Before Busey there were a succession of menial jobs the less spoken of the better. 

In my spare time I work on growing my portfolio of rental properties in and around Champaign while managing all the excitement that entails. I also buy, collect, and sell comics, role-playing games, and all manner of nerd-related items. 

• Financial Manager for Research & Education
• Faculty Affiliates
• SPIN Program

My employment at the University of Illinois began in August 2010. I started in UIUC Purchasing and soon moved to SPA Post-Award where I managed NIH and NASA awards. From there, I worked in the School of Chemical Sciences where I managed the NSF grants portfolio and assisted faculty with grant proposal submissions. In January 2021 I accepted the position of Grants and Contracts Coordinator here at NCSA. 

At home, I enjoy hiking, camping and singing in the church praise band with my husband. I am a long-distance runner.  I love spending time with my family. I have two grown children and two granddaughters. 

Financial Manager for the following NSF Federally funded projects:

• • XSEDE
  • ACCESS Open CI
  • ACCESS RAMPS
  • Delta
  • Delta AI

Engagement Directorate

Research Consulting which includes Business IT, TMG, Modeling & Simulation, Data Analytics, Genomics, Research Facilitation Services & SEAS

After spending 6 years as an elementary school teacher, I started working as Extra Help in the Business Office at NCSA in mid June of 2022.  In March 2023, I accepted the NCSA grants internship, and I love working with the folks in the Business Office.  

When I am not working on UI business, I play bass guitar and sing in our church's praise team.  I also record my weekly podcast, Truthful Tones.  I have a Facebook page and a Youtube channel for anyone who wants to check it out!  

• MOUs
• Review and approve TEM/Chrome River transactions; perform labor redistributions.
• Manage funds for these Software Directorate projects:
  • Direct4AG, PI Chris Navarro
  • HDR and REMAT, PI Ben Galewsky
  • CINet, PI Luigi Marini
  • Rockefeller Playbook, PI Chen Wang
  • Software Directorate CDDRs

After spending 14 years in K-8 education and administrative work, I transitioned to the UI in January 2014.  I worked for the System Office of Government Costing for 4 years, learning about service centers, their rate calculations and research administrative surveys.  In 2018, I came to NCSA, where I am managing the awards in the Software Directorate.  It's a crazy busy group with great teamwork and I love working with this unit!

When I'm not on UI business, I play the keyboards and serve as Praise & Worship leader at our church.  My husband is our pastor and is also a morning personality on WDWS-1400AM.  We have two daughters: MaryAlice is interning here at NCSA, and Eleanor is an academic advisor with the College of Veterinary Medicine.

I also enjoy music, flower gardening, and baking - especially pies, when I can find the time.

• Financial Manager for:
  • Software Directorate
  • Projects headed by our Chief Scientist, Dan Katz
  • Engagement Directorate projects:
    • CEESD (PI, Jon Fruend)
    • Colleen Bushell grants
    • HIPO contracts
    • Mayo contracts
• DAWS Student/Employee Award Scholarship payments

My career at the University of Illinois System began as an Accountant I at the Illini Union in March 2015. After 11 months working two jobs, I was able to obtain my Certified Public Accountant license in February 2016, and Certified Management Accountant certificate in August 2016. I then transitioned to System Government Costing on December 2016 where I assisted University departments with rate calculations. During that period, I graduated with my Master of Science in Management Information Systems in May 2018 before transferring to NCSA last July 2019. 

I was born and raised in the Philippines and was a CPA there with Ernst & Young for 1 busy season. I migrated to the United States of America in June 2014 to finally join my family, and worked briefly at Health Alliance Medical Plans as an accountant before jumping on to the UI System. 

Outside my Uni life, I am a lead vocalist of KALESA, a Filipino cover band in Champaign, a part-time front desk agent at Hampton Inn Urbana, a taekwondo second-degree blackbelt, and a wanderlust. I am always happy to help and love learning!   

• Financial Manager for the following projects:
  • Rubin Observatory previously Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

• • (LSST)  
  • Dark Energy Survey

• • (DES)
  • Midwest Big Data Hub

• • (MBDH)
  • Open Storage Network (OSN) & Massive

• • Galaxy
  • Center for Astrophysical Surveys

• Responsible for the financial oversight of the following services:
  • Institutional Support Fee (ISF)
  • Audio Visual Event

• • Services (AV)
  • Storage Condo
  • National Petascale Computing Facility (NPCF) Floor Space Rate
  • RADIANT
  • CILogon
  • ICI Monitoring
  • Nightingale (Rate calculation only, Cheryl W. handles monthly billing)

I have been at the University since 1998 starting as an extra help employee until I became permanent May, 1999 in the Landscape Architecture Business Office as an Account Tech I.  I worked there for 5 years and then moved on to the Computer Science Business Office in March, 2004 where I worked my way from an Account Tech I to an Accounting Associate managing department funds such as the lecture series, undergraduate and graduate programs, fellowships, scholarships, awards and student organization gift funds before my departure in September, 2019 when I joined the NCSA Business Office as a Finance Coordinator. 

The Center was very welcoming and one thing I like most about the Business Office is the teamwork.  Everyone is willing to help each other. 

In my free time I like watching movies and especially spending time with my children, grandchildren, and other family and friends. 

• Unit Security Contact (USC)
• Department Card Manager (DCM)
• New Fund Setup 
• Manages

• the Review of Monthly Account Statements
• Coordinate Monthly Reconciling BA4 to Banner
• Commitments/MOU/Cost Share Budgets

• Manage Transactional Staff
• Manage Procurement Staff
• Manage Student Workers and Extra Help

Gail Barkley

Accounting Officer

I began working at NCSA in 2014 as an Accounting Clerk in the Business Office, and became an Account Tech I in 2019.  I reconcile PCard transactions & invoices, process payments, pull monthly statements, manage our electronic files, monitor the Business Office's email & snail mail, and reconcile our Staff Development & Travel Planning processes.

I enjoy baking, listening to a variety of music, cross stitch & taking care of my two cats.

• Credit Card Processing
• Processes All Money Received

• Process iBuy Requisitions
• P-card

• & T-card Reconciler
• Record Retention

• Processes Sub Award Invoices

• Staff Development Reconciler
• Chrome River Manager for All NCSA Employees

I began working at NCSA in July of 2021 - prior to that I worked for University Purchasing as a Contract Coordinator, specializing in Software Procurement. Before working at the University I've worked in various professional business settings such as a Banking Administration and as a Financial Advisor for a Wealth Management Firm.

One of the best parts of working in the Business Office and at NCSA in general, so far, has been how welcoming and accommodating everyone is. We're all on the same team and that definitely becomes apparent the more interactions you have throughout the center.

My wife and I have a wonderful daughter named Phoebe, she's currently two and is great source of joy for both of us.

Some hobbies of mine include: video games, housing projects, camping and being outdoors, and spending time with my family. 

• Central Procurement Contact

• Review & Approve TEM/Chrome River Processing
• Tracking Maintenance and Warranties
• Training on New Processes

• Coordinate and Assist in Reconciling by Transaction Monthly Statements
• NPCF Monthly Utility Billing
• Financial manager for the following:
  • C3.ai DTI award
  • DO & Admin Funds

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my guys (my husband and son) and on my family farm. I am the sixth generation to own my family farm an hour south of C-U. I have a farm house, barn and shed and 80+ acres of farmland (no animals other than pesky groundhogs).

In addition to my family and farm, my other passion is organizing! I love, live and breathe it! My favorite store of all time is the Container Store and I am known to spend many hours in there! I received my certification in 2020 as a Certified Organizational Specialist. Some say that my soul glows when I speak of organization!

• Coordinate & Process Procurement of Goods and Services
• Manage Request to Purchase (RTP) tool
• Review & Approve Chrome River Reimbursements
• Review Vendor Invoices
• Manage & Maintain NCSA PO & Invoice Spreadsheet
• Process Vendor Information Forms (VIF)
• Administer & Monitor Purchasing Contracts (in Contracts+)
• Overseeing & Assist in Reconciling by Transaction Monthly Statements

I began my career in accounting in January of 2020 with a public accounting firm called Martin Hood (MH CPA PLLC). While there, I obtained a license with the IRS as an Enrolled Agent. I started working for NCSA in May of 2024. I have two bachelors degrees from Eastern Illinois University after studying accounting and finance. 

My husband and I live outside of Homer, IL with our sweet little boy, Nash. I love spending time with my family, friends, and pets (Chase, Pasty, Loretta, Dolly, and the Yaks). We run a Yak ranch called KRK Ranch. Check us out on social media! And, if you can't tell I am a huge country music fan. I have formerly sang with several bands in and around the Champaign and Danville areas. You can typically find me singing anything from country and classic rock to bluegrass and southern gospel.

Financial Coordinator for the following funds:

• State
• ICR
• Gifts

I began working at NCSA in August of 2021 as a student worker. I really like working at the Business Office at NCSA because everyone is so kind and we really feel like a team. I have two cats at home, Milo and Koa, and I have two sisters that I live with. 

Some of my hobbies are playing video games, reading, or learning new languages. 

• Reconciling Monthly Statements
• Running Documents to Campus
• Scanning 
• Filing
• Electronic Filing/Combining PDF's

I began working at NCSA in August of 2021 as a student worker. At NCSA, I mostly disseminate and reconcile monthly statements.  From the start, I really liked how the whole team was very welcoming and the communication amongst the team members was really easy.  

In my free time I like to bake, draw, or watch tv shows. I have subscriptions to all Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max! When I want to go outside, I like to take a walk around the neighborhood while listening to music or podcasts. My current favorite podcast to listen to are Crime Junkies and Dark History.

• Reconciling Monthly Statements

Cohen Jancola

Extra Help 

•  Reconciling Monthly Statements