Carol Taylor
Lexington,KY
Summary
With over a decade of experience serving students, communities, organizations, and institutions, I have developed valuable transferable skills in administrative leadership, belonging and community, and organizational transformation. I have a strong record of quickly learning and adapting to new and complex situations. Highly motivated to utilize my strategic thinking and team leadership skills, I aim to assist organizations in demonstrating their commitment to cultivating an environment in which all members can be well and thrive.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Diversity and Inclusion Officer
University of Kentucky: Office of the Vice President for Student Success
10.2021 - Current
- Serve as a senior member of the administrative cabinet, providing leadership, tactical visioning, strategic advisement, project management, and fiscal oversight for implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategic planning and practice competencies
- Implement equitable recruitment and retention standards that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
- Front a multi-disciplinary team of 13 student affairs practitioners through a multi-year organizational transition designed to demonstrate a commitment to equity through the policies, practices, and performance of a 400-person division.
Director, Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
University of Kentucky: Office for Student Success
07.2020 - 09.2021
- Guided senior institutional leadership during times of local, state, and national crises that had the potential to disrupt a sense of belonging for members of marginalized communities
- Collaborated with diversity practitioners to deliver high-quality educational opportunities for 200 students, staff, and faculty centered on a culture of belonging, inclusive leadership, power, privilege, and anti-racist practice
- Excelled as a content expert by offering executive presentations to external entities, including the Fayette County Attorney's Office, Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky Non-Profit Network, and Gay-Lesbian Education Network (GLSEN) of the Bluegrass.
Director, Bias Incident Support Services
University of Kentucky: Student and Academic Life
01.2017 - 06.2020
- Operated as senior advisor to university leadership, including academic deans, regarding the impact of bias incidents and crisis management related to acts of racism, hate, and bigotry on students, staff, and faculty
- Established a bias incident report system, including providing direct support and advocacy to any student, staff, faculty, or community impacted by acts of bias
- Each academic year supplied campus and community education to 2000+ students, staff, faculty, institutional leadership, and community partners
- Supported and mentored program staff in their professional growth and academic pursuits.
Social Justice Educator, Violence Intervention and Prevention Center
University of Kentucky: Division of Student Affairs
07.2013 - 12.2016
- Served as a critical resource for students, staff, and faculty by offering confidential support to those impacted by interpersonal violence
- Elevated a stronger sense of community by educating over 300 students, staff, faculty, and community members on the connection between interpersonal violence and social justice issues
- Functioned as a thought leader to internal stakeholders and community partners on equity, inclusion, and cultivating a sense of belonging for students, staff, and faculty
- Successfully strengthened students, staff, and faculty competence to recognize and understand the connections between well-being and racial trauma, race-based stress, and identity-based trauma.
Special Assignment: Office of Student Affairs
University of Kentucky
07.2014 - 06.2015
- Formulated standards of practice and training programs, affirming support for the holistic well-being of LGBTQQIA students, staff, and faculty
- Forged value-driven relationships of trust with local and national LGBTQQIA organizations through creative outreach methods
- Created a sense of community, belonging, and psychological safety for LGBTQQIA students, staff, and faculty.
Associate Director
Parent Support and Education, Center for Women, Children, and Families
10.2012 - 06.2013
- Formed strategic partnerships between organizations, the judicial system, community resources, and child welfare agencies
- Implemented a formal assessment and referral process, eliminating a 6-month waitlist for parents and caregivers
- Increased the protective capacity of over 50 parents and caregivers through continuous programming.
Program Director: Comprehensive Family Services
University of Kentucky: College of Social Work Training Resource Center
07.2001 - 06.2012
- Led in-home parenting program to mitigate familial dysfunction risking the well-being of the family unit
- Directed the delivery of case development services to over 600 families in partnership with child protection staff
- Showcased excellent leadership skills by leading a multi-system community initiative addressing racial disproportionality in child welfare
- Facilitated the professional development and growth of program staff.
Education
Doctoral Degree - Social Work
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY01.2024
Master's Degree - Social Work
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY01.1999
Bachelor of Science - Justice Administration
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY01.1993
Skills
Community Building
Team Development
Problem-Solving
Program Management
Ethical Leadership
Self-Awareness
Student Centered-Practice
Strategic Thinking
Honorsandawards
- Graduate Student Congress Carol Taylor-Shim Award for Outstanding Equity and Inclusion Work, University of Kentucky (2021)
- NAACP Chapter Intentional Excellence Award, University of Kentucky (2019)
- Inductee, Lexington Fairness Hall of Fame (2019)
- Inclusive Excellence Staff Award, University of Kentucky (2018)
Certification
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, University of South Florida, Muma College of Business, 2022
- Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management, Human Resources Certification Institute, 2023
- Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Well-Being, 2023
Professionalmembershipsandaffiliations
- Member American College Personnel Association
- Member, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources
- Member, National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education
Communityconnections
- Former Chair, Fayette County Race Community and Child Welfare Initiative
- Subject Matter Expert and Grant Proposal Reviewer, Kentucky Department of Justice
- Neighborhood Healer, Neighborhood Healers Project
- Senior Administrator and Content Expert, Not the Only One in the Room Community Organization
- Board Member, Bluegrass Community Foundation, Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative
Selectedprofessionalpresentations
- National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators “Equity-Minded Decision-Making” (2023)
- SEC Exchange Conference “Leading Through the Legacy” and “Privilege: Using Your Power for Good, Not Evil” (2018)
- National Conference on Race and Ethnicity “You’re So Poised and Well-Spoken: Microaggressions and Other Isms Towards Female Professional of Color at PWIs” (2018)
- NASPA Multicultural Institute: Advancing Equity and Inclusive Practice “What About Us? Sexual Assault Prevention in Marginalized Student Communities” (2017)
- Southern Association of College and Universities Business Officers Annual Meeting “Unconscious Bias is Bad for Business” (2016)
- University of Florida “Meet Me at the Intersection: Understanding Intersectionality” (2016)
Accomplishments
● Graduate Student Congress Carol Taylor-Shim Award for Outstanding Equity and Inclusion Work, University of Kentucky (2021)
● NAACP Chapter Intentional Excellence Award, University of Kentucky (2019)
● Inductee, Lexington Fairness Hall of Fame (2019)
● Inclusive Excellence Staff Award, University of Kentucky (2018)
Timeline
Executive Diversity and Inclusion Officer
University of Kentucky: Office of the Vice President for Student Success
10.2021 - Current
Director, Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
University of Kentucky: Office for Student Success
07.2020 - 09.2021
Director, Bias Incident Support Services
University of Kentucky: Student and Academic Life
01.2017 - 06.2020
Special Assignment: Office of Student Affairs
University of Kentucky
07.2014 - 06.2015
Social Justice Educator, Violence Intervention and Prevention Center
University of Kentucky: Division of Student Affairs
07.2013 - 12.2016
Associate Director
Parent Support and Education, Center for Women, Children, and Families
10.2012 - 06.2013
Program Director: Comprehensive Family Services
University of Kentucky: College of Social Work Training Resource Center
07.2001 - 06.2012
Doctoral Degree - Social Work
University of Kentucky
Master's Degree - Social Work
University of Kentucky
Bachelor of Science - Justice Administration
University of Louisville
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, University of South Florida, Muma College of Business, 2022
- Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management, Human Resources Certification Institute, 2023
- Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Well-Being, 2023
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