You hear the words, “I like a challenge,” often from Lindy Robinson, academic director of Johnson County Community College’s Hospitality, Fashion, and Interior Design department. Whether she’s talking about past lives or her current one, this is a woman with enormous energy and talent . . . and a desire to give back.

“I loved the challenge of food-and-events catering,” she says. “I got to sell the party, create the menu, cook the food, deal with people, and even see their happiness with the event.

It was always fun, even when it was frantic.” Robinson has worked in catering all her life, starting in the restaurant business. She taught in the community college’s program for nine years and then went to work for the Hereford House group as pastry chef and caterer. Back for the last two years at the jccc, she believes there are still mountains to climb.

“The challenges in academia include really listening to the students, discerning their sometimes hidden goals, and helping them figure how to achieve them.” In addition, there’s the continuing quest for competitive success on a national basis for the JCCC culinary teams, which have done extraordinarily well, including a second-place world championship in 2000. She’s also had to become knowledgeable quickly about the other two areas of her job—fashion and interior design. She points out the similarities among all three, noting all are people businesses, all are trendy, all are artistic.

Robinson has used her talentsoften to help others. She has catered and helped in other capacities forseveral organizations. That list includes Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and Forks and Corks, which she appreciates because it helps fund Harvesters. Now she’s on the volunteer list for Jazzoo, too. She’s always looking for events where she can share her expertise or makelife less challenging for others—she’s there to help!