Valdosta State University named Adrian Taylor as its Fall 2014 Employee of the Semester. Taylor has been working at Valdosta State since August 2011as a in classroom support specialist within Technology Support Services (TSS). He helps coordinate and plan technology installations and upgrades for computer labs and classrooms in conjunction with the needs of academic departments. Taylor also provides end user support and troubleshooting for existing classrooms for hardware and software needs.

“Another aspect of my job is to support Event Services whenever they have information technology or sound requirements,” said Taylor, who lived in England as a child and moved to the U.S. with his family in 1980. “Examples of the events we support include convocation, commencement, new student orientation, guest speakers and any event where President [William] McKinney is speaking.”

Nominated by his supervisor Sterlin J. Sanders, assistant director for TSS, who shared that Taylor’s nickname is “above and beyond” for his dedication and service to the department.

“Adrian is very detailed in making sure that resources are available in the shop and for the classrooms and labs,” said Sanders. “His motivation and pride is based on the satisfaction of clients when they use VSU technology effectively. Faculty and staff have Adrian listed as a first line of contact for technology problems related and non-related to his day-to-day job duties. Overall, Adrian is an exceptionalemployee with exceptional computer skills.”

Sanders further states thatTaylor has been instrumental in cost savings initiatives within InformationTechnology’s upgrades to classroom equipment.

“For instance, we were challenged with trying to avoid occurring additional costs due to having units interact with the projectors. The cost would total to several hundred dollars per room and VSU has more than 200 smart classrooms,” Sanders explained. “Rather than having to deal with the additional costs due to multiple projector brands, Adrian noticed that it would be cost effective to stick to the current projector brand. This decision saved thousands of dollars and allowed student technology fee money to be concentrated toward other technology needs.”

Dan Coody from Physical Plant and FacilitiesPlanning was named first runner-up for Employee of the Semester and Danny Smith from the Dewar College of Education and Human Services received second runner-up. Other nominees included Sage Archer, Event Services; Philip Bishop, Center for e-Learning; Whit Chappell, University Advancement; Mimi McGahee,Dewar College of Education and Human Services; Wendy Miller, Adult and Career Education; Shani Nikki Moore, Center for e-Learning; Matthew E. W. Mullis, Physical Plant and Facilities Planning; Melissa Nolley, Department of Chemistry; Reagan Robinson, Student Employment; Robin Smith, Department of English; and Mykhael Walker, Information Technology. 

VSU’s Council on Staff Affairs presents the Employee of the Semester Award at the end of each fall and spring semester. All full-time classified staff employee are eligible for the award. For more information, visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/council-on-staff-affairs/employee-of-semester.php.