Susan Taylor

As the Jepson School’s new director of programs and budgets, Susan Taylor brings a wealth of strengths to the position: an intimate knowledge of the University, a desire to help others and a knack for multitasking and organizing.

Especially organizing. “My license plate even reads ORGANIZR,” she says with a smile. “I get a great deal of pleasure from making a task easier for myself and for others. I have a tendency to want to leave things better than the way I found them.”

These are strengths that have served her well, both during her career with the University and in her role at Jepson thus far. She joined the School last fall.

“She has only been with us for a short time, but on some days it feels like she has always been part of Jepson,” says Sandra Peart, dean of the Jepson School. “Her good sense of humor, careful attention to detail and fresh new ideas have been a source of energy, creativity and productivity for all of us.”

Her new responsibilities include serving as the dean’s chief of staff and as a member of the School’s leadership team, overseeing the School’s budget, coordinating special projects and organizing the process of hiring new faculty.

Taylor says she is also looking forward to participating in the planning for the School’s 20th anniversary celebration in February 2013 and learning even more about the nation’s first school of leadership studies.

“I think of myself as a plate spinner,” says Taylor. “I move from one plate to another in a hopefully seamless manner in order to keep all the plates spinning rather than falling and breaking.”

Her method is working. Juggling the various responsibilities takes dedication, focus and a finely tuned sense of balance. It also takes practice.

Taylor’s background includes working in the Department of Psychology, the President’s Office and the Provost’s Office. She most recently served as manager of academic affairs in the Provost’s Office where she oversaw academic programming and planning and provided support for senior level searches, managed the provost’s budgets and represented the office on numerous committees.

She was drawn to the University, she says, because of a superior work environment and collegial atmosphere, tuition exchange benefits and an opportunity to work part-time when her children were young. She stays because of unique opportunities, outstanding colleagues and the opportunity to make a contribution toward the University’s academic mission.

“A beautiful place to work isn’t bad either,” she adds with a smile.