When Robin Taylor decided to return to work, her teen-age daughter encouraged her to “find the world.”
She did — literally down the street — at UNMC.
An administrative technician for UNMC’s Center of Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Taylor works with a diverse group of people from varying ethnic and educational backgrounds on special projects, grants and administrative functions. For her outstanding job performance, Taylor has received the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award for October.
“This group of people is unbelievable,” Taylor said. “I absolutely love working with them. They’re on the cutting edge of helping mankind and I feel privileged to be part of the team.”
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Taylor did administrative clerical work until deciding to become a stay-at-home mom with her two young children and several neighborhood children. Later, when she decided to return to work, she applied for a job at UNMC in Volunteer Services.
Four years later, Taylor was ready for a new challenge and applied to the CNND as an administrative assistant to CNND Director Howard Gendelman, M.D. Despite her limited background in science, she knew it was the right move after meeting with Dr. Gendelman and CNND Administrator Julie Ditter.
“After I was offered the job I told Sam Cohen (chairman of pathology/microbiology) that my goal is to be two steps ahead of whoever I work for. He laughed and said I’d better put on my running shoes and run fast.”
It’s clear from CNND colleagues that Taylor has kept pace. Said Ditter: “Robin’s abilities to manage several projects and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining the most pleasant and enthusiastic attitude are outstanding. She has a love of learning new things and is capable of anything that is put before her.
“She is energized by what may seem to others as a difficult project and goes the extra mile to make sure it is done in the most effective, efficient manner. She takes much pride in a job well done, and spreads this work ethic to those that work with her…Aside from Robin’s outstanding administrative and organizational abilities, her upbeat spirit, enthusiasm, and love for life is contagious.”
During her tenure, Taylor has not only managed Dr. Gendelman’s schedule and correspondences but also critically assists most of the grant applications (including figure generation and editing) and most of the manuscript preparations, travel and visitor co-ordinations, symposium organization and computer-related supports. She continuously updates her knowledge and skills by attending information technology-related seminars.
Outside the office, Taylor enjoys music, playing indoor volleyball, coaching volleyball to young girls at Holy Cross School, working in her flower garden, reading and playing bridge. She and her husband, Mark, have two grown children.