Taylor Brown

When track and field sprinter Taylor Brown transferred to UCR, she was prepared to leave a legacy, as she did at Merced College, a community college where she holds the school record in the 400-meter sprint.

Brown is UCR’s nominee for the 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year award, which honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service, and leadership of graduating female college athletes. To date, Brown has posted some of the team’s highest individual marks in the in the 200- and 400-meter sprints, while making contributions on the Highlanders’ relay teams.

“UCR has been a playground full of opportunities. There’s always something going on,” Brown said. “I feel like a small fish in a big pond and I’ve learned so much since transferring from Merced.”

Brown, who is a political science major, is the elections director for the Associated Students of UCR and has helped to encourage a smoke-free campus through her participation in UCR’s Butt Bash. She is also a four-time recipient of the Dean’s Honor List and was a recipient of the Chancellor’s Honor List during the 2016-2017 academic year.

This summer, Brown will participate in the California State Association of Counties fellowship in Sacramento, facilitated by Associate Professor Ronald Loveridge.

After graduation, Brown will spend a year working with Coro in Los Angeles, an organization that trains ethical, diverse civic leaders nationwide. She plans to pursue a graduate program in public policy and a career as a city councilmember or state Assemblymember.

“UCR has had a profound impact on my life. The people here are my family – professors, students, and staff have all provided a network of support,” Brown said. “I’m proud to be a Highlander.”