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Kashanti Taylor

1,345

Bold Points

2x

Nominee

2x

Finalist

Bio

Hello, my name is Kashanti Taylor and I am a rising Junior Biology major, Chemistry and Sociology double minor from Rochester, Minnesota--home of the renowned Mayo Clinic! My interests include baking brownies, watching Friends, advocating for better mental health resources in schools as well as advocating for educational equity in public school systems. Through my education at Howard University, I wish to build the academic and leadership foundation necessary to make a change in my community. I enjoy exploring new ways to challenge myself because I believe that even if the outcome isn't what I'd hoped for, I still can take away a lesson from the experience. These lessons will give me the wisdom needed to reach a wider scope of individuals to help and encourage.

Education

Howard University

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Biology, General
  • Minors:
    • Chemistry
    • Sociology

Mayo Senior High

High School
2016 - 2020

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Equity Specialist

    • Safety Ambassador

      Howard University
      2021 – 20221 year
    • Ambassador

      Chateau Theater
      2019 – 20201 year
    • Clinical Research Intern

      Seattle Children's Research Institute
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Crew Member

      McDonald's
      2016 – 20171 year
    • Cashier/Customer Service

      Hobby Lobby
      2018 – 2018

    Sports

    Volleyball

    Intramural
    2022 – 2022

    Dancing

    Varsity
    2014 – 20184 years

    Awards

    • Mayo High School Fall Dance Team Letter of Honor

    Cheerleading

    Club
    2017 – 20181 year

    Research

    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

      Seattle Children's Research Institute — Clinical Research Intern
      2022 – Present
    • Psychology

      Rochester Pediatric Mental Health Task Force — Education And Beyond Committee Member
      2018 – 2020

    Arts

    • Ceramics Class

      Ceramics
      None
      2017 – Present

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Olmsted County Community Corrections Task Force — Student Representative
      2019 – 2020
    • Advocacy

      Rochester Teen Council — Teen Council Member and Peer Sex-Ed Educator
      2019 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Rochester Friendship Place — Tutor
      2016 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Mayo High School Key Club — Planning Board Senior Representative
      2019 – 2020
    • Advocacy

      Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission — Co-Chair; Mental Health Committee Leader; Executive Committee Member
      2018 – 2020
    • Advocacy

      Rochester Public Schools Student School Board — Executive Board Senior Representative; Student Reporter
      2018 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Channel One Regional Food Bank — Volunteer
      2016 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Horton's Kids — Tutor
      2022 – Present
    • Public Service (Politics)

      Howard University Student Association (HUSA) — Mental Health Coordinator
      2020 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Olmsted County Community Social Services Advisory Board — Student Representative
      2018 – 2019

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Youssef University’s College Life Scholarship
    I have faced many hardships during my higher academic career. Firstly, my freshman year of college was spent online at home due to Covid-19 restrictions. Then finally I made it to campus my sophomore year to only have to return back home less than a month later due to my dad having a freak accident that led to him being paralyzed from shoulder down. After the chaos died down back at home, I reluctantly returned back to campus just to be welcomed back by black mold in my dorm room vents. Even with all of those issues, the top of my list of worries are being able to afford tuition and housing. I will be entering into my junior year as a fulltime student at Howard University. Unfortunately, they’ve increased the cost of attendance this year from an already whopping $53k+ to $60k. Along with this, they also did not guarantee upperclassmen housing. During my scrambling attempt to secure a place to live, the most affordable housing that I found was 25 minutes away from campus, with the rent still being a hefty $1,200/month--excluding other fees. If I earned this scholarship, I would put all of it towards my first month of rent. It would alleviate an immeasurable amount of stress that I've been experiencing because it would give me more time to establish a way to afford living expenses long term, transportation to get to and from campus, as well as the expenses required to earn my bachelor’s degree.