Michelle D. Taylor

Michelle D. Taylor serves as Assistant Director of the Scholarship Program and Academic Assessment at Wayne State University Law School since July 2014, bringing 15+ years of Michigan higher education administration experience. She holds a part-time lecturer appointment teaching courses like Culturally Responsive Program Evaluation (EER7420).

Her educational credentials include:

• B.A. in English Literature/Linguistics
• M.A. in Linguistics/Sociolinguistics
• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Dr. Taylor's research centers on equity in legal education, examining underrepresented law student experiences and mentorship frameworks for minoritized academics. She develops culturally responsive evaluation methodologies and advocates for systemic change through policy-focused interventions, emphasizing intersectional approaches to inclusion in academic settings.

Her recognitions include:

• PLEDGE (Professionals in Legal Education Developing Greater Equity) Fellowship (2023)
• National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional certification
• Detroit Equity Action Lab Fellowship

She directs grant-funded initiatives with AccessLex and the Southern Education Foundation (in collaboration with the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Institute), evaluating underrepresented student experiences while co-developing support programming with Student Affairs. Dr. Taylor actively disseminates findings through national conference presentations and is co-editing a book on mentorship for minoritized academics and professionals.