Higher Education Career Coach and Curriculum Specialist
Resume:
Laura-Ashley Taylor, M.A, ABD
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
*******************@*****.***
Professional Summary:
Passionate and student-centered professional with over 7 years of experience in higher education instruction, K-12 curriculum development, and college/career readiness. Proven ability to guide diverse student populations through academic and personal development using a culturally responsive, Black Feminist Pedagogical approach. Experienced in organizing college-readiness programs, facilitating workshops, and collaborating with educators and parents to ensure student success. Education: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Masters in African American Studies
Doctoral Candidate ABD
African American and African Studies
Graduate Minor of Women, Gender, Sexuality, Studies August 2025 Graduate
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Masters in African American Studies
Concentration in Community Empowerment
May 2017 Graduate
Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Minor in Communication Arts,
May 2011 Cum Laude Graduate
Core Competencies:
• College and Career Readiness Coaching
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Academic Advising and Support
• Workshop and Curriculum Development
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
• Family and Community Engagement
• Student Retention Strategies
• Data-Driven Intervention Planning
Teaching Experience: June 2024-Present
Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta, Ga
Career Success Coach
• Supported students in building job readiness skills aligned with technical pathways
• Facilitated one-on-one coaching sessions to help students explore career paths, refine personal goals, and develop soft skills
• Collaborated with faculty and employers to connect students with internship and job opportunities.
• Help organize and plan career fairs on the campus of the college. Researched and kept students abreast of job openings and career fairs within the Atlanta Metropolitan area. The Children’s School, Atlanta, Ga January 2025-June 2025 Kindergarten Teacher, Extended Learning and Culture
• Delivered social-emotional learning through culturally responsive lessons.
• Fostered home-school relationships to support student development.
• Helped students build foundational life and communication skills through play-based and inquiry-driven curriculum.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Ohio State University, Major Readings in African American and African Studies, Fall 2021.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Ohio State University, From Civil Rights to Black Power: Black Political Identity, Fall 2021.
Graduate Instructor, The Ohio State University, Black Popular Culture and Visual Media, Fall 2020-Spring 2021.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Ohio State University, From Hip Hop to Duwop: African American Music in the 20th Century Synopsis, Fall 2019. Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Ohio State University, African Civilizations: 1870 to the Present, Spring 2019.
Graduate Instructor, The Ohio State University, Black Women Writers, Fall 2018. Teaching Mentorship, The Ohio State University, Intersections: Approaches to Race, Gender, Class, and Sexuality, Spring 2018.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, The Ohio State University, Theorizing Race, Spring 2018. Employment History:
MAC Cosmetics, Atlanta, GA January 2024- March 2024 Assistant Manager
• Responsible for all business operations.
• Responsible for the productivity and development of my team in both artistry and business operations.
• Corresponding with regional field executive to ensure that the needs of the business are met.
• Support management team to ensure that productivity and excellent customer service is constant.
• Maintained productivity tracking documents.
• Responsible for completing schedules.
• Participated in regional weekly minutes.
• Develop strategies to maximize revenue.
MAC Cosmetics, Atlanta, GA June 2023- March 2024
Key Holding Manager
• Organized and coordinated product launches and supporting events.
• Implemented sales strategies and executed business plans to meet productivity goals.
• Responsible for artist development and skill training. The Cosmetics Company Store, Sunbury, OH September 2022- May 2023 Assistant Store Manager
• Managed team development and training.
• Developed and implemented sales strategies to meet the needs of business and customers.
• Maintained effective business planning strategies to ensure a measure of productivity. MAC Cosmetics, Columbus, OH December 2019-Septmber 2022 Third Key Manager
• Responsible for artist development and skill certification preparation.
• Sales floor manager in charge of effective business practices.
• Managed outreach for customer retention.
MAC Cosmetics, Atlanta, GA September 2016- July 2017 Regional Media Artist
• Corresponds with beauty bloggers and influencers.
• Represents MAC Cosmetics in public and social media forums. MAC Cosmetics, Atlanta, GA October 2015- July 2017 Third Key Manager
• Sales floor manager in charge of effective business practices.
• Maintained effective team sales tracking.
Presentations:
For Black Women, When Strength is Not Enough: Health Disparities Among Black Women,” Association of Behavioral and Social Scientists, Fayetteville, NC, March 2019.
“Health Disparities among the Most Active Employment Demographic in America,” New Directions Black Feminist Symposium, Columbus, OH, April 2018.
“Black Women, Feminism, and Owning Their Sexuality: An Ethnographic Approach,” National Council of Black Studies, Houston, TX, March 2017.
“Contemporary Developments in Black Female Sexuality,” Southern Conference on African American Studies Inc., Atlanta, GA, February 2017.
“Beyoncé’s Feminism: Feminist Performances’ Impact on Sexual Decision Making Amongst Millennials,” Feminism Here and Now Conference, Raleigh, NC, November 2016.
“The Effects of Social Media Objectification and HIV on Sexual Decision Making Amongst Millennials,” National Council of Black Studies, March 2016. Conference Papers:
“For Black Women, When Strength is Not Enough: Health Disparities Among Black Women,” Association of Behavioral and Social Scientists, Fayetteville, NC, March 2019.
“Health Disparities among the Most Active Employment Demographic in America,” New Directions Black Feminist Symposium, Columbus, OH, April 2018.
“Black Women, Feminism, and Owning Their Sexuality: An Ethnographic Approach,” National Council of Black Studies, Houston, TX, March 2017.
“Contemporary Developments in Black Female Sexuality,” Southern Conference on African American Studies Inc., Atlanta, GA, February 2017.
“Beyoncé’s Feminism: Feminist Performances’ Impact on Sexual Decision Making Amongst Millennials,” Feminism Here and Now Conference, Raleigh, NC, November 2016.
“The Effects of Social Media Objectification and HIV on Sexual Decision Making Amongst Millennials,” National Council of Black Studies, March 2016. Guest Lectures & Invited Presentations:
Georgia State University, Facilitated Issues in African Americans Communities: Media Stereotypes and Cultural Appropriation: How Cultural Practices Survive, Fall of 2015 Georgia State University, Facilitated Sex, Race, Relationships, and African American Communities: The Socialization of the Black Family Across the Life Cycle, Fall of 2016 United Way of Columbus: Black History Forgotten, Spring of 2021 Honors and Awards:
Buckeye Access All-Star Award Recipient, 2020
Gwen Kagey Scholarship Award Recipient, 2019
The Ohio State University Graduate Fellowship, 2017 Georgia State University International Education Fee Study Abroad Scholarship Recipient, 2016 Georgia State University Global Experience Study Abroad Scholarship Recipient, 2016 Georgia State University Graduate Assistant, 2015-2017
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