Tiffany + Rochester: Forever Connected
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Volunteering is a great way to give back. Tiffany Taylor Smith ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™91 currently serves on RochesterÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s Diversity Council, among other committees. You can also make a difference by getting involved.
Tiffany Renee Taylor ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™91
Majors:ÌýBA in psychology, certificate in management studies
Occupation:ÌýExecutive Director for Inclusive Excellence Education and Professional Development at the University of Dayton
Tiffany Renee Taylor applied to the University of Rochester after poring over the college brochures and making an extensive campus visit. She was thrilled to be accepted and arrived in the fall with a plan. But like many college freshmen, it took some time for her to settle in and feel comfortable.Ìý
What made the difference?ÌýÌý
ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½œI gotÌýinvolved,ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½� says Renee Taylor. ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½œThere were opportunities toÌýjoinÌýclubs and even start organizations.ÌýAnd there were faculty and staff who helped us navigateÌýit all.ÌýThe University is like a training ground for leadership.ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½�Ìý
That training paved the way for a 25-year career inÌýhuman resources, teaching, and consulting,ÌýworkingÌýwithÌýeducational, corporate, and community organizations to build intercultural competencies.Ìý
Along the way, she hasÌýremained as engaged with the University as she was as a student, serving onÌýtheÌýNew York City Metro Leadership Council,ÌýseveralÌýreunion committees, andÌýtheÌýDiversityÌýCouncil.Ìý
Most recently, Renee Taylor started a mentoring program with the Douglass Leadership House, which aims to celebrate and raise awareness of black culture, politics, and history.Ìý
ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½œI realized thatÌýthere were ways in which I and others could offerÌýthese studentsÌýsupport,Ìýbecause we walked in their shoes,ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½� she says.ÌýÌý
ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½œAs much as IÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™ve received from other people, IÌýwant to ensure that I give back.ÌýThereÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s a sense of connectedness that I have to the U of R.Ìý And there isnÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™t anything that they would ask me to do that I wouldnÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™t do.ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½�ÌýÌý
Read more about Tiffany Renee Taylor andÌý.Ìý
Lead the wayÌý
To learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference, contact Karen Chance Mercurius, Associate Vice President for Alumni and Constituent Relations, at (585) 275-1710.
ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”Margaret Bogumil and Michelle Hildreth, March 2018


