Lookin’ at U – Sharon McLean

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee. This week, we learn about Sharon McLean, an administrator for the Niedfelt Nursing Research Center.

• Name: Sharon McLean
• Hometown: West Allis, Wisc.
• No. of years at UNMC: 11

Tell us a bit about what you do here at UNMC.

I serve as administrator for the Niedfelt Nursing Research Center (NNRC) in the College of Nursing. Our team of grant coordinators and statisticians support College of Nursing faculty in their research pursuits. Our objective is to increase the college’s national prominence as a health sciences research center through proposal development and grant submissions, promoting collaboration between faculty and other UNMC departments and supporting manuscript development for publication. My position is responsible for the coordination and administration of the operational and financial affairs within the NNRC, supporting the pre-award and post-award grant activities, and serving as liaison with UNMC research offices.

Being a trusted resource is one of UNMC’s brand values. Tell us of a time you witnessed a person or group demonstrate a commitment to excellence at UNMC.
I have witnessed the commitment to excellence by working with the College of Nursing faculty as they dedicate their time to research. The faculty’s persistence and quest for creative funding opportunities has resulted in a steady stream of research awards as well as training grants for nurse education. Not only do faculty members dedicate themselves in an academic sense, through research and publications, but some also contribute to community outreach in their specific fields of interest by sponsoring fundraisers within the college.

What is your favorite summer activity?
I enjoy raising edibles in my summer garden. I grow the usual tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, but each year I like to try something new. This year, it’s eggplant and cantaloupes — as long as my golden retriever doesn’t dig them up!

List three things people may not know about you.

• I was the astronomy merit badge counselor when my two sons were in Boy Scouts (we have an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope to view the beautiful dark skies of Nebraska);
• I wrote science-fiction fan fiction under the name A.J. Dunning; and
• I was voted Gamma Phi Beta “Sunshine Girl” in college.