Ronald Taylor ’15, G’16
Where are you currently living? I currently live in Saint Albans, Queens in New York City and work in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, NY.
What are you currently doing with your degree? After graduation with a BA in Policy Studies and Political Science, I stayed on at Syracuse to complete a Master of Science in Social Studies Education. With that degree, I currently serve at the Horace Mann School, one of the nation's leading independent schools, as the Founding Co-Director of the Students Together Empowering People of Color Successfully (STEPS) program as well as a middle division history teacher. I additionally am conducting institutional research to help build an initiative to explicitly help support students in our financial aid program with the additional care they need to thrive at HM. In the fall, I will be going back to school part-time at Columbia University pursuing an MA in Private School Leadership and an MBA.
How did participating in Immersion Week impact your career path? The Immersion Week was such a unique experience because it allowed me to really think creatively about my career aspirations and what the field of education could look like in practice across multiple spaces. It also allowed me the opportunity to solidify a strong and extremely rewarding relationship with one of my dear mentors, Travis G. Mason. Because of that relationship, specifically, I decided to remain in education when I planned on transitioning out about two years ago. Not only did the leadership of Travis help me put more of my early career into perspective, but also it allowed me to understand how to be patient with the professional process.
Any advice for potential Immersion Week participants/future SU graduates? While Spring Break can be a time of rest and fun, which is important, don't pass up an opportunity to engage the alumni network that costs $70K a year to be affiliated with. Syracuse can offer you academics, but the true reward is meeting people who came before you who can support and pour into your journey. In all honesty, I am not sure where I would be today if I did not engage Syracuse Alumni as critically as I do -- my current job and position are off the strength of a Syracuse connection.