skip to main content
Search

Southwest services and classes are virtual on Fridays. Find out more!

Dr. Jacqueline Taylor selected for SCORE’s Tennessee Learning Circle

By Marketing and Communications Staff 

Southwest Chief Strategy Officer/Chief of Staff Dr. Jacqueline Taylor
Southwest Chief Strategy Officer/Chief of
Staff Dr. Jacqueline Taylor

Southwest’s Chief Strategy Officer/Chief of Staff, Dr. Jacqueline Taylor attended SCORE’s Tennessee Learning Circle January 25-26, 2023, in Orlando, Florida, as a guest participant. Led by President and CEO, David Mansouri, SCORE has been in existence since 2009. The organization, according to its mission profile, plays a critical role in advancing student achievement in Tennessee and is composed of mission-driven professionals who work every day to support student success across the state by insisting on high expectations, empowering educators, and fostering a culture of innovation.

During the consortium, higher education colleagues and philanthropists from Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga convened as ecosystem partners committed to student success. “It was a pleasure to engage with representatives from SCORE, as well as Dr. Tosha Downey of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Teresa Sloyan of the Hyde Family Foundation and so many others to learn more about how we can work together to promote student success,” Taylor said. 

The Tennessee Learning Circle highlighted strategies related to data governance and democratization, workforce development and transfer pathways, and cultivating the higher education ecosystem to promote positive student outcomes. The two-day learning event was hosted by Valencia College, the first Aspen prize winner recognized as the top community college in the nation. This unique learning opportunity included speakers such as Valencia College’s President Dr. Kathleen Plinske; Vice President, Institutional Planning and Development and Chief of Staff, Dr. Amy Bosley; Vice President, Technology, Research & Analytics, Dr. Brandon McKelvey; Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Lesley Frederick; and College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Isis Artze-Vega. 

Participants engaged in thought leadership and engagement sessions gaining insights related to the Central Florida Education Ecosystem Database for the area’s K-12 education system; DirectConnect, a program started in 2006 at Valencia College to enhance the connection and pathway to the University of Central Florida; and student recruitment, engagement, retention and completion strategies.  

“I am excited to utilize the knowledge gained to support the reimagining of Southwest. Engaging in intentional thought partnership with our colleagues and supporters across the state, as well as with Valencia College leaders, provided a positive pathway for innovative thinking about whole-College transformation. I am so grateful for this opportunity provided by President Hall to learn and lead with so many who are passionate about student success,” Taylor said.