The Technical Assistance Group-Service Center (TAG-SC) is thrilled to announce the expansion of services beyond Northern Arizona University (NAU)!
The TAG-SC will be capable of supporting individuals, organizations, and businesses throughout Arizona with a variety of technical services – at low cost beginning August 1, 2024.
The TAG-SC is located within NAU’s Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER) and is home to a dynamic and interdisciplinary group of scholars and experts eager to lend consultation and mentorship to their neighbors and communities.
Creating the service center
Christine Kirby is a Research Coordinator, Sr. for CHER and part of the Research Capacity Core (RCC; formerly Research Infrastructure Core) for the Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative (SHERC). Before 2021, the RCC received consistent requests for research design and statistical support from faculty and staff, which led to the creation of the technical service center.
“Assisting researchers was always part of SHERC. As the success of SHERC continued, we realized how much we could help NAU researchers. One thing led to another, now here we are with 100+ requests a year,” said Kirby.
Expanding with experts
Since its inception, the TAG-SC has grown both in ability and capacity, due to the almost two dozen experts who have joined the team. Those experts have been successful in assisting nearly 100 faculty and staff through nearly 250 separate requests since 2021.
“Before becoming a TAG Specialist, I heard from other colleagues in my department how rewarding the experience could be,” said Eric Cerino, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences.
“I was drawn to becoming a TAG Specialist for the opportunity to connect with inspiring scientists and be a part of the impactful, community-engaged research happening at NAU.”
The benefits of technical assistance
While researchers find themselves learning about new ideas, processes, and skills every day, sometimes it’s necessary to seek guidance and support outside of your project or research team. Maureen McGarrity-Yoder, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, decided to learn how the TAG-SC could help her.
“I received help from TAG-SC on two projects: a secondary data analysis and the development of an R21 grant,” added McGarrity-Yoder. “Taylor Lane was amazing and very helpful… [and] Zahra Mojtahedi was instrumental in the development of the data analysis plan of an R21 that was submitted in June.”
McGarrity-Yoder was a recipient of SHERC’s Community-Campus Partnership Support (CCPS) Program in 2022.
Once more, the TAG-SC has identified another gap when it comes to technical assistance. And now they’re ready to fill it by opening their client base beyond NAU.
The TAG-SC expansion
Beginning August 1, 2024, users outside of NAU can submit a request for services on the TAG-SC webpage. This change will not affect existing internal users of TAG-SC services.
What does this mean for you?
NAU internal clients
As mentioned, there will be no changes in the type of services offered to NAU internal clients. NAU internal clients are still able to take advantage of service fee coverage for health equity related projects.
External community clients
For organizations and individuals outside of NAU, this means that beginning August 1, you can now access specialized technical services led by experts at NAU.
Technical services: a la carte
Many organizations need help with emerging technologies or research methods that require expert knowledge, but they don’t have the budget or need to hire full-time staff members necessary to complete the scope of work. This is where TAG-SC specialists come in, offering short-term consultation and assistance at a lower cost and commitment than bringing on new staff.
Accessing TAG Services
You can submit a request for services on the TAG-SC webpage where you can describe your need and learn more about the service center. Please note: External NAU Clients can submit requests as of August 1, 2024.
McGarrity-Yoder also mentioned her experience working with the service center:
“I would definitely recommend the TAG-SC to all who qualify for TAG services. Everyone I have been in contact with (Monica, Taylor, and Zahra) have gone out of their way to help me in the success of my work. They are an amazing resource!”
If you have any questions regarding the TAG-SC, please email Monica.Lininger@nau.edu.