Dr. Sovent Taylor is the Director of the Health Professions Advising Office at the University of Mississippi. He advises students who are pursuing dental school as well as healthcare administration. He is also an Adjunct Instructor of Business Communication in the School of Business Administration.
Biography
Dr. Sovent Taylor is originally from Clarksdale, MS. He is a three-time graduate of the University of Mississippi: B.B.A Business and B.A. in Psychology in 2003; M.A. in Higher Education in 2006; and Doctorate of Education in 2018.
Dr. Taylor started his higher education career as a Regional Admissions Counselor for the Office of Admissions. He was a Regional Admissions Counselor for 3 years before taking a position in the Alumni Association. While in Alumni Affairs, he coordinated alumni events including the Chancellor’s Luncheon Series, Alumni Game Day event and alumni road trips (including bowl games).
After leaving the Alumni Association, Dr. Taylor worked at the UM-Tupelo Campus. This is where he first discovered his love for advising. Later, he returned to the Oxford Campus as an Academic Advisor for the Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience, before becoming the Assistant Director of the Health Professions Advising Office.
In 2018, Dr. Taylor became the first African American Director of the Health Professions Advising Office. During his tenure at UM, he has earned numerous awards. He is the 2017 Recipient of the UM Academic Advising Network’s Excellence in Advising Award. In 2020 he was recognized as the Frist Student Services Award winner, which recognizes one faculty member and one staff for their unwavering dedication and service to students. Also, in 2020, he became the first African American National President of the Alpha Epsilon Delta National Honor Society.
Dr. Taylor serves on the Academic Recruitment Committee, Proactive Advising for Students Success Task Force, Human Resources Development Committee, and Incident Phone Responder Team. He advises multiple health-related student organizations: Women in Dentistry, Ole Miss Pre-Dental Society, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS), and Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society.
He enjoys spending time with his wife Kaleshia and his 2 children, Sovient and Perchelle. He is an avid college and professional sports fan and loves to cheer on the Ole Miss Rebels.
Courses Taught
- Bus 271 Business Communication
- Edhe 105 Freshman Year Experience
- PH 195 Foundations of Public Health
- Liba 102 First Year Seminar
- Liba 303 Health Professions Application Process
- Liba 399 Study USA. Topics in Liberal Arts
Education
B.A. Psychology, The University of Mississippi (2003)
B.B.A. Marketing, The University of Mississippi (2003)
M.A. Higher Education, The University of Mississippi (2006)
Ed.D. Higher Education, The University of Mississippi (2018)
Recognitions
- National President, Alpha Epsilon Delta National Honor Society, 2020-
- Daniel W. Jones Outstanding Team Award, University of Mississippi, 2022
- Frist Student Services Award, University of Mississippi, 2020
- Live the Creed Award, University of Mississippi, 2019-20
- Excellence in Teaching Award, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), 2019
- Academic Advising Network’s Excellence in Advising Award, University of Mississippi, 2017
- Outstanding Leadership Award, UM Staff Council President, 2016