Dr. JuJuan C. Taylor, Professor and Department Chair, Department of Communication Arts, has been named one of this year’s Women of Excellence by the Michigan Chronicle.
For over a decade, the Michigan Chronicle has celebrated local African American women who inspire others through vision and leadership, exceptional achievements and participation in community service. Taylor joins those who have shown exceptional success in business, community involvement and philanthropy.
“Each year in character, in manner, and in style, the Michigan Chronicle celebrates phenomenal women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, unwavering conviction and extraordinary grace,” said Hiram E. Jackson, Publisher of Michigan Chronicle. “In grand fashion, we will honor these inspirational women at our Women of Excellence event on Wednesday, March 25.”
A professor for 31 years at Schoolcraft College, Taylor is widely recognized as one of the leading educators throughout the Detroit Metro area. In addition, she’s a prolific author, speaker and has served as director of several theater productions.
Hanging in her office is a photo of her receiving her PhD from the then-Michigan State University President, John DiBiaggio, which understandably was a moment of great pride in this achievement. Taylor said the award from the Michigan Chronicle, which has covered the interests of the Detroit Metro community for more than 80 years, rates highly as well.
“This award falls in that category of pride, especially coming from a historical news organization, the Michigan Chronicle,” she said. “My mother, her mother, generations have been reading the Michigan Chronicle, so it’s very important in some of Metro Detroit’s many communities. And such an award – wow!”
Recently, Taylor has been instrumental in bringing to campus several high-profile speakers to engage with students, including FOX 2 News Anchor Huel Perkins and the Honorable Richard H. Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court Justice. Previous speakers have included Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
This semester, she’s teaching COMA 103 – Fundamentals of Speech. Taylor also teaches COMA 200 – Interpersonal Communications; COMA 201 – Discussion; and COMA 210 – Communication for Leaders.
The 2020 Women of Excellence Induction Ceremony will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at the Motor City Casino Hotel in Detroit.
View the complete list of honorees here.