Meet Erin Keen, Senior Research Administrator within the division’s OSP office. In the world of grants and proposals, Keen’s role might sound complex, but at its heart, it’s a balancing act between spreadsheets, deadlines and family strolls. From dawn to dusk, Keen juggles career, motherhood and everything in between with humor, a little chaos and heart. Complex? Yes. Rewarding? Double yes.
Starting the Day: Coffee First, Always
“Much like Dolly Parton,” Keen said, “I tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen; Pour myself a cup of ambition; Yawnin’, stretchin’, try to come to life.”
From there, the mornings are a blur — getting her daughter Ada ready for school. Once the lunchbox is packed and the backpack zipped, Keen shifts into work mode — fielding emails, reviewing budgets and uploading proposal documents.
In research administration, no two days are the same. “Each piece of the pie varies,” Keen said. “One day, it’s a straightforward proposal; the next, it’s a complex budget that has me googling answers left and right. But that’s what makes it interesting!”
Finding Balance Through Flexibility
A firm believer in remote work’s power to restore balance, Keen appreciates the flexibility her role offers. She finds joy in being able to volunteer in Ada’s classroom once a week and never misses the chance to pick her daughter up from school.
“That time together after school is my favorite part of the day,” she said. “We walk home, and it’s a chance to unwind. No computer screens, no distractions— just Ada and me on a stroll.”
Depending on the season, you might find Keen ferrying Ada to softball practice or cheering her on at a game. Between after-school activities and deadlines, she always tries to grab a workout. “Lifting weights three times a week keeps me sane,” she said.
Joy and Calm 101
Outside of work, Keen’s hobbies keep her grounded and joyful. “I love to read — inside, outside, on the couch, on a mountain, wherever!” she said. A self-proclaimed “sports family,” the Keen household rarely misses a Boise State football or basketball game. She also indulges in baking, though she jokes about her kitchen adventures:
“My baking may not look pretty—I think it’s probably more Nailed It than The Great British Bake Off—but it tastes great. I make a mean brownie!”
Podcasts, especially true crime and history, are another passion. “They’re perfect for listening in the background, whether I’m working, cleaning or strolling,” she said.
Navigating the Challenges and Celebrating the Little Things
Though she finds joy in her work’s flexibility, mornings can still be tough. “Once the morning rush is over and I sit down, there’s always a 9-10 a.m. window when the chaos of getting ready for school is over, and I am back at my desk; it’s quiet, but I feel like I need to decompress a little bit and the coffee hasn’t quite kicked in.” However, Keen’s focus and positive outlook have her handling her role with precision and care.
Keen is excited to take on bigger and more challenging proposals in her new role. “I enjoy learning and growing,” she said. “Every project teaches me something new.” At home, the ideal life for Keen is simple: time with her family, laughter and a sense of togetherness. “I’m grateful for my little family and even luckier that my extended family is local.”
Looking Ahead with Optimism
Through all the daily hustle — whether she’s reviewing grants, managing softball schedules or making a mess in the kitchen — Keen approaches life with humor and gratitude. “This job can be stressful,” she reflects, “but hobbies, family and moments of calm keep me grounded.”
It’s this balance — between ambition and peace, chaos and joy — that makes Erin Keen’s day in the life both inspiring and relatable, and we thank her for sharing it with us.
