The University of Redlands Mortar Board Honor Society has announced that Jill Robinson, who teaches management and leadership in the Department of Business Administration, has been named Professor of the Year.
“I became aware of [Robinson’s] extensive knowledge when I took her Human Resources class this past fall,” said Abigail Hickman ’18, at the Mortar Board reception last week. “Her rich background in education and business management helps her conduct a class with ease. I think I can speak for everyone in her HR class when I say it was one of the most enjoyable classes I have taken at the University of Redlands.
“She implemented a lot of structure within the class that made us prepared each day from what was to come,” Hickman continued. “The stories Professor Robinson used to tell about her daily life in HR helped make this class very engaging. Her personality and humor kept us interested in the subject matter and encouraged us to study the material.
“As my advisor, she has aided me throughout my journey at the University of Redlands, helped me prepare for my last semester, and sparked my interest to pursue Human Resources as a career. She is approachable, generous, intelligent, and most of all a great professor very worthy of this honor.”
Robinson (B.S. in psychology, Texas A&M University; MBA, California State University; M.A., Ph.D. in organizational behavior, Claremont Graduate University) has been teaching at the University of Redlands for almost 22 years. Her research interests include leadership, gender issues in management, and work-family conflict.
"I am deeply touched to receive this award as it comes from the students," Robinson said. "It is an honor to be a part of their education at the University of Redlands as they are destined to change the world for the better."
This was the 60th year that Mortar Board undergraduates honored a distinguished faculty member who embodies the group’s ideas of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Mortar Board began at the University of Redlands in 1943 as a women’s senior honorary group, known as W.E.B.S., Wisdom, Excellence, Belief, and Service. In 1955, it became officially recognized as a chapter of the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society. In 1975, membership was opened to both men and women.
This year’s Mortar Board finalists for Professor of the Year also included Political Science Professor Art Svenson, Philosophy Professor Lawry Finsen, and Chemistry Professor Rebecca Lyons.