Overview of Taylor STARS

Purpose of Organization

Taylor STARS is a community, a support system, and a gateway to resources for low-income, first-generation students. Ask us questions when you don’t know who to go to— we will either answer them or connect you with someone who can.

Programmatic Events
  • Pod Meetings
    • Monthly meetings with your Taylor STARS cohort to give you resources and connections 
    • Past topics: Mental health & imposter syndrome, identity & advocacy & allyship, networking & professional development
  • Student Retreat
  • Sophomore workshops
  • Senior roundtables
  • End of Year Celebration
Past Social Events

Click here for a typical Taylor STARS monthly calendar.

  • Escape the Room
  • Cultural Shows – Diwali, Black Anthology, LNYF, Carnaval
  • Bowling
  • Apple Picking at Eckert’s
  • Movies at theaters
  • Taylor STARS STAR-B-Q (BBQ)
  • End of the Week Unwinds (EOWU)
    • Free snacks (that is decided by you each week) on Fridays 3pm-5pm with all your favorite people! 
    • Past snacks include: Ice-cream, chips & dips, donuts, etc.

Resources Available

  • Student Leadership Corps (SLC) is a staff team comprised from of sophomore, junior, and senior Taylor STARS
    • Student Program Coordinators (SPC)
      • Junior and senior Taylor STARS plans and executes social and academic programming for you as well as act as a general resource
    • Aspirational Peer Mentor (APM) 
      • 1 APM  is assigned approximately 6 first-year mentees
      • Sophomore, junior, and senior Taylor STARS convene monthly group meetings and weekly individual mentee meetings for first-years
    • Sophomore Mentors (SM)
      • Junior and Senior Taylor STARS that facilitate workshops on study abroad, housing, etc.
      • Meet once a semester with sophomore mentees
  • Graduate Resource Corps
    • Near peer graduate students providing subject matter expertise and academic (or use the word learning) support through weekly small group (HALO) sessions and some individualized tutoring
    • Subjects covered: Biology, calculus, chemistry, and physics
    • Planning expansion for subjects covered: Psychology, business, and others
  • Helping Undergraduates Build Success (HUBS) Leaders
    • Volunteer Taylor STARS community members who provide general academic guidance, advising and support to Taylor STARS community members for courses in which they have excelled
    • Encourage, and help facilitate creation of, study groups
  • The Taylor Family Center for Student Success (TFCSS)/Taylor STARS Suite
    • The Taylor STARS Suite is where James Schisler, and Lucy Chin will be located.
    • It will be open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the Olin Women’s Building (WB).  There will be “after hours” swipe card access to the Women’s Building and Suite for all Taylor STARS after 5:00 PM until midnight.
    • The Lounge features study space, including dry-erase boards;  a small meeting room; some study supplies; and a popcorn machine.