OnFeature is Ms. Taylor Ulmer, C’2015
Ulmer is a double major in Anthropology/Sociology, and International Studies, and a Spelman College Githii Honors student. She is a Truman Scholar and recently received a Marshall fellowship. But first she will coordinate a study of Black American tourist behavior in West Africa.
This interview was conducted by Ashley Reid, a sophomore Economics and Political Science major, and member of the Honors Program.
Q: Reid: How did you first become involved with the honors program?
I received an invitation to join the honors program when I first applied to Spelman. From there I lived in LLC 1, and that gave me a great introduction to the Honors Program and to the individuals in the program. I am also a Bonner scholar. It was a great way to meet new people and they are still my best friends to this day.
Q: What opportunities in the honors program have you taken advantage of?
I have gotten great support from the Honors Program. My sophomore year I was able to travel to Yale for the Black Solidarity Conference and from there I was able to network and discuss the current state of Black America with other Black undergraduate students and the trip was sponsored by the Honors Program.
Q: Do you think among your class there is a distinction between honors students and non-honors students?
Honestly no. [Y]ou’re not able to tell the difference since we’re so mixed [into the College population]. But academically I definitely think the honors program gives students a certain “leg up” because they come in having to take honors courses and certain electives that really aid in their holistic learning.
Q: How has honors helped you throughout your matriculation at Spelman?
Honors has provided me with a network that I couldn’t have possibly tapped into and given me great support through the administration, and always being supportive . . . wanting to see me succeed in whatever I am doing.
Q: What are you doing right now?
This year is pretty hectic; I am currently working on a project that focuses on Black American’s identity. I am particularly interested in Black Americans who [volunteer abroad] . . . and how they engage privilege when they go abroad. I am working on that for my thesis. I am very busy on campus. I am a Truman scholar [and] I started a mentorship program called “My Brothers Keeper” which pairs young boys from Kipp Strive academy with a mentor from Morehouse College. Also I am on the Miss Spelman Court— I am 1st attendant to Miss Spelman. That has been a great experience; it has [shown me] a different side of Spelman. I also am president of “Girls Going Global.” We’re constantly doing speaking engagements and going out into the community to inspire girls to go abroad. Those are the major things right now.
Read more about Ulmer here.
