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Marlene Schneider |
After 30 years at UNMC, Marlene Schneider will be retiring next month.
Schneider, a counselor in the Faculty-Employee Assistance Program(FEAP), spent those years working with UNMC employees who were struggling with stress, depression or other life challenges. She says she’s loved working with her fellow employees.
“Over the years, I have seen so many employees,” she said. “They come into my office so down, often struggling, and I get to see their inner strength. I get to help them maximize their potential. To see them heal and find their voice has been very rewarding.”
Schneider won’t be giving up on counseling. She has a private practice outside of UNMC and she plans to continue helping people — while perhaps working on her golf game.
“I just moved into my new home on a golf course,” she said.
Jayme Nekuda, the associate director of human resources, said Schneider has been invaluable to the FEAP program during her tenure.
“Marlene has been a professional and compassionate voice and a strong support for her fellow employees,” Nekuda said. “It’s hard to overstate the impact she has had on this campus, or the number of people she has helped.”
Susan Smith, manager of the FEAP program, said Schneider’s professionalism and integrity were unmatched in the EAP community.
“Marlene is one of those employees who possess great professional skill with a hefty dose of compassion and insight when working with FEAP clients,” she said. “As colleagues for the past 30 years, we have been driven to provide the very best in EAP services to this campus and UNO as well.
“In doing so, through all the highs and lows of the kind of work we do, we have become both teammates and friends. The ‘sweet’ is that I am happy Marlene is at a place in her life that she can move on to the next phase of her journey, one that doesn’t involve alarm clocks, but does include much more swinging — of her golf clubs, that is. The ‘bitter’ is that I will miss her presence as my colleague ‘next door.'”
Schneider acknowledged that change would be difficult.
“It’s the ending of a career which I’ve thoroughly loved,” she said. “But it’s time to move on and look for new challenges.”
Her colleagues will hold a retirement reception for her from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 7 in University Tower’s Private Dining Rooms A & B. Schneider’s final day will be April 15.
Sad to see you go, Marlene! But best wishes for an awesome retirement!
Congratulations Marlene. Hope to continue to see you at our lunches, enjoy yourself!
I've always felt better just knowing that Marlene was around. She is by far one of the most respected people on campus. Hers is the perfect combination of professionalism and personality absolutely suited to her calling. We will be a lesser institution without her, but we are all better for her having been part of our UNMC life.
As a newcomer to working on campus and in the building, Marlene was one of the first people to introduce herself to me. She made me feel so welcome. She is the most upbeat, professional and caring person I've ever known – she is a joy to be around. While I'll miss seeing her on campus, I'm so happy she's able to embark on this next well-deserved adventure.
Congratulations Marlene and thanks for your service to so many over the years. Enjoy your time and your new home!
Marlene is the heart and soul of the UNMC community and is irreplaceable! Many warm wishes for a wonderful retirement, Marlene! We'll miss you and will obviously not forget you.
Congratulations Marlene your smile and upbeat attitude will be missed.
Congratulations Marlene, I will miss your smile and laughter in the hallways of the admin bldg. as well as your sense of humor. I Look forward to seeing you at the retirement lunches!
Congratulations, Marlene! Thanks for all your help over the years! You are an amazing lady and I wish you nothing but the best!
Congratulations. Thank you for taking the time to come to the Dental College and speak. Always so enjoyed you. The best of luck….