MAGS is the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools. Each year they award two students an Excellence in Teaching Award. The Graduate College at MSU is proud to announce that this year one of those awards went to graduate student Taylor Smith!

Taylor Smith is a second-year graduate student in the Experimental Psychology program. Through her teaching assistantship, research experience, and practicum opportunities she has found her passion in teaching with a focus on diversity within and outside the classroom.  As an instructor and graduate assistant for the Introductory Psychology courses, she spends the majority of her time helping students succeed in the realm of academia.  Keen to pursue valuable opportunities, Taylor is also the acting graduate representative for Southwestern Teachers of Psychology (SWToP) and a level 1 partner for a Living Learning Community on campus.  Additionally, she coordinates with local middle schools to host and facilitate a workshop for students which encourages critical thinking about various topics in diversity while incorporating fun activities. Taylor has also spent several years assisting with the development of an online course format for a discussion based, capstone Diversity class. (Retrieved from MAGS.)

Ultimately, she desires to pursue a Doctorate within the field of Social Psychology. Taylor has made her Missouri Statement, what will yours be? – by Alise Kottman (Graduate College GA & I/O Psychology student.)