Faculty Spotlight - October 18, 2023
College of Arts & Sciences: Faculty Spotlight Series
Dr. Liana Taylor
Department: Social Sciences
Presentation: Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Talk by Dr. Liana Taylor
Location: Founders Hall, Bernie Beck Lecture Hall (Doors open at 3:45 p.m.)
All are welcome to attend. Appetizers and light refreshments will be served!
“From Plan A to Plan ??? Embracing changes in the Career Path”
Dr. Taylor’s talk revolves around her personal journey in academia and research. She discusses her evolving research interests and career redirections during her academic journey. Dr. Taylor emphasizes that it’s perfectly normal not to have everything figured out right away, encouraging students not to stress about individual grades and the need for a clear, linear path in their careers. She also challenges common perceptions of “rejection” in contexts such as job applications or school admissions. She concludes her talk by sharing the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her academic and professional life, aiming to inspire and reassure students about their own paths.
Abstract:
There are some assumptions about academics, like that we knew early on what we wanted to do or that we quickly understood the topics we now research and teach. Dr. Taylor, like many other academics, did not have a linear process to figuring out her career. In this talk, she will discuss changing career and research interests, how rejection allowed for redirection, her current and upcoming research projects, and the lessons she has learned over the years. This talk will highlight the benefits of rejection, opportunities, and staying open to learning.
Dr. Liana R. Taylor is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Texas A&M University – Central Texas, specializing in Criminology, Statistics, Research Methods, and Program Evaluation. Dr. Taylor’s research interests encompass correctional programming, substance abuse treatment, and program planning and evaluation. She is an active member of professional associations such as the American Society of Criminology, American Evaluation Association, and American Statistical Association.