CLEVELAND, Ohio (December 13, 2023) – College Now Greater Cleveland today announces the promotion of Dr. Michele Scott Taylor to the newly created position of president of the organization. Dr. Scott Taylor previously served as chief programs officer for the last 13 years, providing strategic leadership to the team that guides middle and high school students in identifying their career goals, and attaining the postsecondary education they need to achieve their aspirations. As president, Dr. Scott Taylor will oversee the implementation of College Now’s new strategic plan, helping to ensure that anyone in Northeast Ohio who wants a meaningful career can receive the education they need to achieve their goals – contributing to the economic vitality of the region. 

“College Now’s newly adopted strategic plan is the roadmap to increase postsecondary education attainment, as well as to expand and enhance the organization’s impact as a thought leader in Northeast Ohio and nationally,” said Lee Friedman, College Now CEO. “With her deep knowledge, proven experience and nimbleness, we are honored to elevate Michele to this new role.” 

As chief program officer, Dr. Scott Taylor led College Now’s unique programmatic efforts, including in-school- and community-based advising programs, as well as the federal programs GEAR UP, Talent Search and Upward Bound. College Now’s successful community-based programs, including Xplore and impact!, were developed under her leadership, and provide real-world career exploration opportunities and college entrance exam skills. Each program ends with an out-of-state trip to explore various cities, college campuses and majors needed for particular careers.  

Over the last 13 years, College Now Greater Cleveland has grown nearly ten-fold, with the organization increasing its footprint in six Northeast Ohio counties (Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Richland and Summit), serving more than 33,000 middle and high school students in 200 venues and 80 schools, including all high schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. 

“Michele’s leadership has been instrumental to College Now’s explosive growth – even during the pandemic – and continues today,” adds Friedman. “Her unique ability to be able to truly relate with people, as well as her commitment to exposing students – many of whom will be the first in their family to pursue postsecondary education – to career pathways that they would not have discovered on her own, has led to College Now’s success in connecting students throughout Northeast Ohio to the education they need to achieve their career goals.” 

As a first-generation postsecondary student herself, Dr. Scott Taylor received her doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008. She also holds a master’s degree in higher education from Kent State University, and received bachelor’s degrees in sociology, political science and French from the University of Akron.  

Dr. Scott Taylor currently serves as board chair of the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation, vice president of the board of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and also sits on the board of the Euclid Schools Foundation. She previously was a board member for Global Ambassadors Language Academy and was on the community advisory boards for both Ideastream Public Media and Leadership Cleveland. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.