Donald R. Taylor
Lyon College Executive Vice President and Provost Kurt Grafton has announced the appointment of Donald R. Taylor as director of the Title III Thriving Scots Grant, effective Jan. 2.
Taylor, now in his 24th year at Lyon, has held leadership roles across advancement, academics, admissions and human resources. Since 2022, he has served as director of academic support and accessibility, overseeing student success programming and disability support services.
Before joining Lyon, Taylor served as director of TRIO Student Support Services at Ozarka College and as director of human resources and Title IX coordinator at Cottey College.
A graduate of Newark High School, Taylor has lived in the Batesville area since 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Lyon College and a Master of Education from the University of Arkansas.
Taylor has also been active in the local arts and nonprofit community, serving on the boards of the Batesville Community Theater, the Batesville Area Arts Council, and the Humane Society of Independence County. He currently serves on the board of the Independence County Historical Society. In 2014, he received Lyon College’s Outstanding Staff Member Award.
The Thriving Scots Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant is a five-year federal initiative designed to expand Lyon College’s capacity to support first-year, first-generation, low-income and academically underprepared students. The project includes the creation of residential learning communities and the modernization of the college’s data systems to improve retention, persistence and graduation rates.
“I’ve spent my career helping students navigate their path to success, and this grant gives us the resources to reach more students, earlier and more effectively,” Taylor said. “Our commitment is simple: No student should feel invisible.”
Grafton said Taylor’s experience makes him well suited to lead the initiative.
“Donald has a deep understanding of student success and a proven record of leadership across multiple areas of the college,” Grafton said. “I am confident that under his direction, the Thriving Scots initiative will make a meaningful difference for our students.”
Image provided by Lyon College
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