College names new director of human resources

The College of Arts & Sciences will welcome a new director of human resources, Taylor Shuler, beginning on April 1. Shuler, senior HR business partner in the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and Cornell Engineering HR Service Center, will take over for Sara Bloxsom, who’s worked in the dean’s office for more than 36 years, 27 of those  directing the college’s human resources efforts and who is retiring this year.

In her positions with CIS and engineering, Shuler has been involved in a number of important strategic initiatives, including leading the CIS Belonging@Cornell initiative, directing community conversations on anti-racism for both colleges and the Division of Human Resources, co-leading a division-wide committee focused on talent retention, career services and professional development and leading a strategic objective committee on Empowered and Skilled Leadership for the Division of Human Resources.

“I’m delighted and humbled to work alongside a highly skilled and experienced team to serve the many talented individuals whose labor carries out the academic mission of the College of Arts and Sciences,” Shuler said. “I am proud to support the academic mission, upholding the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and I strive to help reflect these tenets throughout the people and culture function of the college.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my unique perspective, experience and to embody my values of curiosity, courageous compassion and connectedness to this role. The College of Arts and Sciences is an inspiring and energizing place to work. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with all of the talented and brilliant people who make up the college and to begin collaborating as a thought partner. Supporting the college’s resiliency by honoring the well-loved traditions that continue to serve the greater CAS community and adapting to the largely uncharted times we are living through is a challenge that I’m privileged and excited to meet.”

Shuler has been influential in the university’s approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, including important policy changes, and has been instrumental in successful recruitments for key leadership positions in both colleges, said Ray Jayawardhana, Harold Tanner Dean of Arts & Sciences.

Prior to joining Cornell, Shuler was the human resources manager at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Standing Stone Vineyards. Originally from New York City, she spent several years in the region as a talent acquisition and recruitment specialist, as well as a certified paralegal supporting attorneys in a variety of areas including class action and employment law. She holds a master’s degree in cross-cultural and sustainable business management from the American University of Paris and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Tulane University. 

Bloxsom said she felt lucky to be able to grow her career in the College with many supportive supervisors and colleagues throughout the years.

“I’ll miss the many good people I work with on a regular basis, both in CAS and across the university,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to exploring the world, both near and far, after I retire. In some ways I feel as excited about retirement as I did when I was a little kid when school was about to end for the summer, but it’s even better because there’s no school come fall.”

“Sara has been an exceptional HR Director for many years and is obviously going to leave a large gap to fill,” said David Taylor, the College’s associate dean of administration. “Taylor knows, understands and appreciates the situation. I think her intellect, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness give her great potential for success in this critical position.”