A Time Well Spent at USCA: Samantha Taylor looks back at her accomplishments ahead of May Commencement
Taylor expresses her deep appreciation for the professors and faculty at USCA who have been integral to her academic success. Before her current academic journey, Taylor served for over five years in the United States Army. As a Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer or 25Q, she was responsible for maintaining, operating, and training soldiers on complex equipment such as satellites, radios, and computers.
“One of the primary reasons I chose USCA was because of the Office of Veteran & Military Student Success on campus,” Taylor states. “Compared to other institutions, they’re fully integrated into the student experience for their military members and military-affiliated students. The VMSS showed me that I would have the support system that needed to be successful.”
Throughout her time as a student at USCA, Taylor has been involved in many activities and organizations on campus. One organization she treasures and will miss greatly is Broken Ink: USC Aiken’s Visual and Literary Arts Magazine. “Being able to be a part of such an amazing group of creative people and getting the opportunity to help showcase the artistic scope of USCA’s students before I head out the door has been amazing,” says Taylor. She started as a general staff member and, through hard work and dedication, she worked her way up to Editor-In-Chief within the organization. “I feel like being a non-traditional student and being a little bit older than some of the other students that are here has been a great experience for me in terms of developing my leadership skills,” she says. “Since I took over [Broken Ink], the organization has implemented more opportunities for students to grow both personally and professionally. This idea of consistent development is central to Broken Ink’s overall goals for their student staff members.”
After graduation, she plans to immerse herself in reading literature and developing her skills in playwriting. She also plans to continue with her own independent studies, while working to further develop her 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Town Square a Literary Magazine, an international military-centric publication that works to provide information on creative therapeutic resources to local veterans and service members.
Taylor is one of five graduating seniors, university-wide, selected as exceptional students ahead of May Commencement. Graduates are set to walk across the stage on Wednesday, May 1 in the Convocation Center at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Angela Saxon - angela.saxon@usca.edu