Betty Jeanne Taylor

Dr. Betty Jeanne Taylor is a mission-driven leader, committed to systemic change and improving educational environments and outcomes. With more than 25 years of experience, she has led university initiatives related to inclusive environments, student success, faculty recruitment and retention, and organizational development, through strategic planning, programming, and policy/praxis implementation. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin, teaching and advising in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, and as Chief Strategy Officer for MASBA, School Board Members for Latino Equity, where she leads strategic organizational and programmatic initiatives.

Dr. Taylor has held leadership roles at UT Austin including Assistant Vice President for the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Director of Diversity Education Initiatives, and Director of Greek Life and Education, and for professional organizations as Regional Director and Steering Team Member. The foundation of her work has been leading cross- functional teams to identify critical issues, build relationships, develop solutions, and implement data-driven strategies, enhancing sense of belonging for students, staff, and faculty.

She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and received a B.S. in Communication and an M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University. Her research interests focus on inclusive climates, sense of belonging, learning methodologies, and recruitment/retention. Recent publication includes co-authored works in the text A House Where All Belong: Redesigning Education Abroad for Inclusive Excellence (2022) and journal Education and Urban Society (2021). As a lifelong learner, she has a strong commitment to continuing her own personal and professional development.