KELLI W. TAYLOR

Innovative higher education and ministry leader with extensive experience in program development, theological education, student well-being, vocational discernment, and mission integration within church-related institutions. Ordained clergy (elder) and university administrator with demonstrated success leading collaborative initiatives, developing formational programming, coordinating cross-functional partnerships, and communicating theological concepts to diverse audiences. Recognized for strategic leadership, organizational excellence, relational collaboration, and a deep commitment to cultivating cultures of calling, spiritual formation, and student flourishing.

• Ordained Elder – South Carolina Annual Conference
• Member – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)
• Member – Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA)
• Data Analytics Certificate - Google Coursera
• Koru Mindfulness facilitator
• One Love (Title IX) trained educator/facilitator
• Trained facilitator, Equity 2.0
• Safe/Safer Sanctuaries training

• Team Lead, Mission/Student Well-being Cross Functional Team 2022 2024 Methodist University

     Collaborated with Student Affairs, Belonging and Inclusion, and Academic Affairs on matters of student well-being and mission integration

• Co-coordinator, Racial Healing Task Force 2020-2022 Methodist University

     Initiated and developed a campus-wide Racial Healing Task Force which resulted in the establishment of the Office of Diversity, Equity and        

     Inclusion and the appointment of the first Chief Diversity Officer for the institution

• Theology and Doctrine Committee, Board of Ordained Ministry 1997-2017 South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

     Examined candidates on matters of theology and doctrine according to the guidelines of the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist 

     Church and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry

• Partners 4 New Hope, Inc. Board of Directors, January 2016 – present

     Developed Methodist University faculty and student initiatives in collaboration with twelve diverse congregations and non-profits in service 

     to the goals of New Hope Hospital and Partners for New Hope, Inc., Cap Haitien, Haiti.

• SC Annual Conference Board of Health and Welfare, 2000-2004
• Committee on the Superintendency, Charleston District (SC) Conference, 2008-2014
• Board of Trustees, SC Annual Conference (SC), 1998-2000
• District Board of Ordained Ministry, Charleston, Greenwood, Rock Hill and Spartanburg Districts (SC)
• Salkehatchie Summer Service (SC)
• Bahamas Annual Conference, guest speaker / presenter, higher education / preparation for ministry
• Disaster Relief Committee, Charleston District (SC)
• North Carolina Annual Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry
• North Carolina Annual Conference Board of Institutions
• U.S. Senate testimony on Tobacco Free Kids campaign and 100:1 crack disparity on behalf of The United Methodist Church

• Doctor of Ministry Project Advisor, August 2025-present Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC - Mentor and guide Doctor of Ministry students in vocational reflection, theological integration, and the successful development of doctoral research and ministry projects.
• Instructor in Leadership, August 2015- May 2026 Methodist University, Tally Leadership Center -Mentored students in the Church Leadership minor
• Course design and instructor in the Church Leadership pathway -Courses: Church Leadership, Youth and Children, Cross Cultural Leadership

      Modality: innovative, interdisciplinary team-teaching program design, instructional technology to enhance pedagogical technique

• Instructor in Religion, June 1997- May 2000 Spartanburg Methodist College. Department of Religion Instructor, Courses in A.A. Religion degree pathway. Courses: New Testament, Religion in Context, Hebrew Bible (course listing: Old Testament)
• Academic Advisor, June 1997- May 2000 Spartanburg Methodist College

     Advised assigned first year students at mission institution related to The United Methodist Church

• Group Facilitator, Jan-Dec, 2021 “Equity 2.0” - Safe Places for the Advancement of Community and Equity (SPACEs)

     Facilitated clergy and laity groups from the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for the Equity 2.0    

     Implicit Bias Training, a 12-month program with the goal of mutual appreciation, trust-building, and recognition of implicit bias.

• Candidacy Mentor, June 1997-2015 South Carolina Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church

     Mentored persons discerning a call to ordained ministry as part of the Candidacy program of The United Methodist Church, through     

     individual counsel and group facilitation.

• Methodist University Institutional Review Board Approved, January 2022-May 2023 for Hood Theological Seminary

     “The Role of Institutional Mission: Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Student Well-being”

      Conducted qualitative and quantitative research on student well-being and vocational inquiry with freshmen and sophomores.

      Examined the role of personal mission, vocation, meaning and purpose, and institutional mission integration on student perception of well-  

       being.

• “A Fresh Expression of ‘And Are We Yet Alive?’” Hendricks, George (Ph.D.) and Taylor, Kelli (2019) Asbury Theological Journal, Vol. 74: No. 1, p. 39-66

      Conducted qualitative research in the Fresh Expressions communities of North Carolina.

      Examined the role of Fresh Expression communities on meaning, purpose, and spiritual development in young adults ages 18-30 Accessible 

      link: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol74/iss1/4

• “Who’s Gonna Carry the Boats? Breaking Out of the ‘In Crowd’ in Service to Others” Presenters: Dr. George Hendricks (Social Work) and Dr. Mark Kline (Psychology) Respondents: Dr. Kelli W. Taylor (VP/Chaplain) and Mr. Gavin Myrick (Belonging and Inclusion) B.F. Stone Lyceum Annual Lectures, 2023 Methodist University
• Guidelines for Teaching Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, 2009-2012 Taylor, Kelli W., editor

      The United Methodist Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Publishing House Official text and teaching exercises with the Social      

      Creed for use by small groups and congregations.