Southwest Minnesota State professor honored with Division II faculty award

The NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selected George Taylor of Southwest Minnesota State as the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award.

The award is named after a Bellarmine physical therapy professor who died in 2013. It recognizes faculty members at Division II schools for their dedication to supporting and mentoring student-athletes, as well as their commitment to Division II student-athletes' lifelong learning, competition and well-being.   

Taylor, an assistant professor of management, will be honored at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix. He has been on the Southwest Minnesota State faculty since 2020. He holds a Doctor of Management degree in organizational leadership and a Master of Business Administration in information systems technology management. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in education leadership. His teaching interests include organizational development, leadership and entrepreneurship.  

Taylor is an active researcher for THRIVE, a think tank at Oklahoma that focuses on evidence-based research on Oklahoma schools. He is a published author and frequent speaker at research conferences and symposiums. Before teaching, Taylor served in the Navy and participated in high-level strategic initiatives such as Sea Warrior, a human capital initiative that transformed the Navy's human resources processes. 

That experience has translated to his involvement in several search committees during his time at Southwest Minnesota State. He also serves as a student-athlete faculty mentor.

In addition to his involvement on campus, Taylor serves as the co-chair for the city of Marshall's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, which hosts several events that encourage a connection between community and campus. He also is a United Way board member for the Southwest Minnesota region. 

Taylor said he appreciates being around student-athletes because they are out front in thinking through challenges and identifying opportunities. 

"In many cases, our student-athletes lead the discussion, set the example and show all of us what it takes to be a part of something special," he said. "Student-athletes allow all of us to understand that life's greatest lessons come from the times when we may fall short, for these are the times that test our will, our resolve and our drive to excel.

"To accomplish truly great things, you must be willing to do what's hard, to put in the reps, to trust your teammates, your mentors, coaches and parents, and to trust yourself that you will prevail. I witness this commitment from our student-athletes every day."