Nicole Taylor

Nicole Taylor, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Education at Spelman College, serving on faculty since 2011. She also co-chairs the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Spelman. A proud Spelman alumna, Dr. Taylor earned her B.A. in Child Development from Spelman, followed by an M.A. in Educational Studies with a focus on Language, Literacy & Culture from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University.

Her research examines the cognitive, emotional, and socio-cultural processes underlying young children's reading development, emphasizing reciprocal influences across home, school, and community contexts. She investigates intersections of social-emotional learning, academic achievement, and professional growth among aspiring African American educators. Her work includes publications on family literacy, refugee mothers' literacy beliefs, and diverse family engagement strategies.

• Unsung Legacies of Educators and Events in African American Education (2019) - Book
• Developing an Understanding of Diverse Families through Family Knowledge (2018)
• Promoting Family Literacy through Connections (2017)
• Exploring Literacy Beliefs of Refugee Mothers (2016)

Dr. Taylor actively mentors students through advising and teaching courses such as Educational Psychology (EDU 304), Adult & Family Literacy (EDU 392), and Senior Thesis (EDU 438). Her presentations at national and international conferences highlight her commitment to advancing literacy research and practice.