College Now Greater Cleveland has appointed Michele Scott Taylor as its new chief executive officer. As a first-generation college student, Scott Taylor earned several degrees, including a Master of Education degree from Kent State University in 2000. She received her doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh, and initially completed two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Akron, one in sociology and French; the other in political science.
Founded in 1967, College Now Greater Cleveland is the nation’s oldest college access organization and since its inception has awarded more than $88 million in scholarships to traditional students and adult learners. Scott Taylor, who has been with the organization for 13 years, previously served as chief program officer and was promoted to president in 2023. She was also recently named to the Crain’s Cleveland Business 2024 Women of Note list.
During her tenure at College Now Greater Cleveland, she has significantly expanded programs and revenues for the organization, which serves nearly 33,000 people annually.
In an announcement about her new role, Scott Taylor expressed her commitment to enhancing educational access and supporting the local community’s economic vitality through higher education – sentiments that align with Kent State’s commitment to higher education access for all.
“What I’m hoping to do is position the organization as a thought leader in the space of higher education and access, and success for all people,” Scott Taylor told Cleveland.com.
She will officially begin her new role on Jan. 1.