A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith

Taylor Wright joined Fresno State Athletics’ Student-Athlete Services team in January 2023 as Associate Director for Student-Athlete Services and Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Designee (ADID). She serves as the academic advisor for Baseball, Men’s, and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams. As ADID, Taylor has been pivotal in promoting diversity and inclusion, crafting the Equity & Engagement mission statement, administering climate surveys, and creating the Fresno State Athletics Heritage Monthly Newsletter. She also established safe spaces for international, Black, and Hispanic/Latinx student-athletes, leading to the formation of Affinity Groups.

Before Fresno State, Taylor was the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at the University of the Pacific (UOP), managing academic and career development for 300 student-athletes across 17 Division I teams. Her tenure included leading Men’s Basketball to its highest semester GPA in
ten years.

Earlier in her career, Taylor worked at Palm Beach State College and Oakton Community College, developing academic support programs for student-athletes. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Taylor earned her BA in Economics from Spelman College and her MS in Sports Administration from Northwestern University.

Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith at 10:00 am EST. Come listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via 563-999-3513 or www.chatinthegarden.com. This is Season 11. Seasons 1-6 can be found on 200plus.expert, previously broadcasted on Survival Broadcast Network. Seasons 7-10 are at www.chatinthegarden.com.