Dr. Karryll Phillips, Fayetteville State University

Dr. Karryll Phillips is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Director for the Center for the Advancement of Liberal Arts and STEM, and the Transformation Officer at Fayetteville State University (FSU). Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a Master of Science in psychology and a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan. She has worked as a program evaluator for a positive developmental youth after school program in the City of Detroit; a Residence Coordinator for the Summer Bridge Program at the University of Michigan; an independent consultant; and the Executive Director for a non-profit organization in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Currently, Dr. Phillips’s research has focused on exploring best practices for infusing the STEM and Liberal Arts field. Additionally, her research has focused on youth empowerment through the method of Youth Participatory Action Research.

Dr. Daya Taylor, Hampton University

Dr. Daya Irene Taylor is a Registered Architect in the State of Florida. She received a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Florida A&M University (HBCU). She also earned a Master of Architecture Degree from Clemson University (PWI). Her career in architecture and design education has included serving as National Secretary of the National Organization of Minority Architects, appointment to Interim Dean and Architecture Department Head of the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science at Tuskegee University. While residing in Alabama, Dr. Taylor earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law from Alabama State University (HBCU).

Recently, she served as an Instructional Assistant Professor of Graduate Design at the University of Florida - CityLab, in downtown Orlando. Additionally, Dr. Taylor was a Board Member and Treasurer of BAM-Orlando (Black Architects in the Making) and Project Manager for Orange County Public Schools Program Management Team, the ninth largest school district in the United States. Currently, Dr. Taylor is the Chairperson of the Architecture Department at Hampton University School of Engineering, Architecture, and Aviation. She is the first woman to hold this prestigious position.

She credits her successful efforts in her 30-year career to the love and support of her husband, Clarence III, and their three young children: Olivia, Clarence “IV,” and Benji.

Jalyn White, Spelman College

Jalyn White is a graduating senior biochemistry major on the pre-med track at Spelman College, and also serves as Spelman's Pearson Campus Ambassador! Her passions and advocacy work are rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, being former Vice President and Captain of the prolific Spelman College Speech and Debate Team, and President of Spelman's chapter of the premier Divine Nine Greek-letter organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As a Pearson Campus Ambassador (PCA), Jalyn has been able to share her appreciation for HBCUs as the formal representative on the PCA DEI Committee, and hopes to spotlight the unique spaces crafted for degree-seeking Black students.