Taylor Welch

Taylor Welch graduated last spring with a degree in Human Development and a minor in Public Health. She is now in the Master of Public Health program in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

As a graduate assistant with Hokie Wellness, Taylor supervises the Health Education Awareness Team of peer educators. She is also doing a field study with The Market of Virginia Tech, an initiative of VT Engage, Student Affairs, and Hokie Wellness that provides food assistance to students who have a hard time obtaining regular, healthy meals.

Each day Taylor shows up with kindness, hoping to help the Virginia Tech community live a healthier life that encompasses well-being.

Her nominator wrote, “In my 22 years of working with peer educators, I have never supervised a student in a field study who is as professional, organized, and strategic. Taylor uses her own life experiences as lessons in how to teach and help influence positive behavior change in others. She creates safe spaces for people to be vulnerable. Her quiet passion inspires others. Taylor’s work has far exceeded our expectations. She took a small project and made it so much more meaningful than we could have imagined.”

Taylor said, “Self-understanding and integrity for me starts with self-awareness. It can be a difficult process to really look at yourself in the mirror and acknowledge everything that you are and every experience that has brought you to be who you are today. But it is one of the most rewarding practices you can do for yourself. It means showing up every day as your true, authentic self, and embracing every part of who you are and what your life is. It is only when I was able to develop a deep understanding of myself that I was able to practice integrity in the world by keeping my own personal values and beliefs at the heart of all of my endeavors. I have learned that when I am able to treat myself with acceptance and understanding, I am that much more capable of treating others with the same kind of patience and empathy, which allows me to serve and help them at a greater capacity. My passion is helping people build the skills and confidence that they need in order to be happy, healthy, and successful in life.”

Taylor said that taking time for herself every day for at least 20 minutes is necessary for her to maintain a strong connection with herself. She said, “It allows me to have a moment to reflect on my experiences, feel my emotions, and listen to what my body is telling me. One thing that I am doing while I am in school is giving myself time every day to cook a nice meal for myself while I dance and sing to my favorite music in the kitchen.”

Taylor, for being the person you are, who thrives by helping others in the context of health and wellness, we are pleased to present to you the Aspire! Award for SELF-UNDERSTANDING AND INTEGRITY.