Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) - Sonja K. Taylor
Full Name:Sonja K. Taylor
First Name:Sonja
Last Name:Taylor
Middle Initial:K.
Type:Administrator
Actual Title:Executive Director Student-Athlete Support Services/SWA
Department or Organization:Athletics
Phone:386-226-6735
Fax:386-226-7111
Job Description:The Embry-Riddle Athletics Administration announced the appointment of Sonja Taylor to the position of Executive Director of Student-Athlete Support Services in January 2014. Taylor, a 30-year veteran of the University, was also designated the Senior Woman Administrator.
In her role with Athletics, Taylor is a member of the senior leadership team, focusing primarily on support services and programs for student-athletes, including academic excellence, personal and career development and overall well-being. She also provides sport supervision for several of ERAU's female athletics teams and coaches.
Before joining the Athletics Department, Taylor served in a variety of roles within the University's Division of Student Affairs. She began her career at Embry-Riddle as ERAU's Residence Life Coordinator in 1984 and two years later, she became the Director of Housing. During her tenure as the Director of Housing, she provided administrative leadership in the planning and construction of the Student Village in 1997, which increased the number of on-campus residents from 900 to 1,900.
In 2002, Taylor was named the Associate Dean of Students, providing oversight to Housing and Residence Life, Health Services, and Counseling and Orientation, while serving as the functional Director of Housing. Three years later, Taylor was named the Dean of Students, a position she held until she was named the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs in January of 2013.
As a leader on Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus, Taylor has served as the Chair for a number of committees, including Diversity and Inclusion, University Tobacco-Free Communication & Transition, the Embry-Riddle Annual Fund and Judicial Process Review, which resulted in the creation of the University's Honor Code and Honor Board. Taylor has also served as Off-Site Committee Member for the Commission on Colleges' Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and has been a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Association of Student Conduct Administrators. Her successes at Embry-Riddle have led to her being asked to be the presenter at several conferences, including the Association of College and University Housing Officers Conference and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Taylor has been an avid supporter of sports in general and the Eagles' Athletics program in particular. She has attended numerous games as a season ticket holder and her interaction with the Eagle coaches and student-athletes has resulted in her being asked to be an honorary coach at home contests, in addition to being a guest speaker at the 2012 ERAU Student-Athlete Convocation.
Major:Education/Counseling
Colleges Attended:Valdosta State College; Auburn University
Highest Degree Attained:Masters
Gender:Female
Race:White non-Hispanic
Length of service to current SG:30+ years
Experience as an SG advisor:30+ years
Work load with SG:Part-time
Weekly hours worked for SG:0-5
How paid:Administration
Compensation Range:$75K-100K