The Choice to Get Involved in Student Leadership . . .

"My favorite things about MJC are the wide range of interesting classes, the friendly, helpful professors, the Honors Program and the affordable cost. MJC is an excellent path to take because it offers so many ways to achieve your goals."

Like the black '67 Mustang he drives, Taylor could be described as a classic. A graduate of Beyer High School, he was a well-rounded student, participating in four years of student government and baseball, while maintaining a high grade point average. He considered attending a four-year university, until hearing about MJC's new Honors Program which offers students an enhanced academic challenge in their studies. While "traditional" or "classic" may come to mind when describing him, Taylor is anything but ordinary! As his Honors Project for his history class, Taylor chose to write a research paper on bootlegging in Stanislaus County during prohibition!

The contemplative freshman is a political science major, and he hopes to transfer after two years to UC Berkeley, followed by law school at Georgetown University. Taylor's goal is to study international law with an eye towards eventually entering politics. So it is no surprise that he jumped right in as the Director of Political Development for the Associated Students of MJC his first semester, quickly becoming the Vice President of Senate. Then, upon the resignation of the President of ASMJC, Taylor was appointed to this top position. Describing his leadership style as magnanimous and "hands-on," he likes to give credit where it is due, and to listen to all sides, taking others' concerns into account when making decisions. He claims that ASMJC has been his greatest learning experience yet on campus. "You get to participate in shared governance at a higher level, and are given the opportunity to really make a difference."

Taylor spends a lot of time reading, which lately has included Just War on Terror by Jean Bethke Elshtein, Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire and the work of Hobbes, Locke and other political writers for his Political Theory class with Professor Steven Miller, which is currently his favorite. "I really enjoy this course because students are encouraged to discuss their own ideas and theories. The instructor doesn't just lecture, but leads a discussion based class."

However passionate he is about politics, student government and his studies, Taylor occasionally finds the need to unwind, clear his mind of heavy stuff and go bowling, to a movie, or cruising with friends in his Mustang. Hey, even dynamic leaders need a night off!