Inaugural Speaker
Donald S. Taylor
Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies,
California State University, Sacramento
Donald S. Taylor is a Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at California State University, Sacramento. With a career spanning several decades, he has held various significant administrative roles at the university, including Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Assistant Vice President for Global Engagement and Senior International Officer, Director of Academic Program Quality, and Vice Chair of the Department of Communication Studies. His work has been pivotal in leading the university’s global engagement strategies and diversifying its study abroad programs, notably by adding a program in Ghana.
Dr. Taylor has also played a crucial role in university-wide accreditation, student learning outcomes assessment, academic program review, and the recruitment for senior academic administrative appointments. His academic expertise encompasses International and Intercultural Communication, Mass Communication, Communication Research Methods, and Communication Theory and National Development.
In 2000, he took a sabbatical to serve as a White House Research Fellow, focusing on the impact of the digital divide on underserved populations in the U.S. and Africa. Dr. Taylor has also been an active consultant in academic curriculum review, strategic plan development, diversity training, and project management both nationally and internationally.
He holds the titles of Fellow of the American Council on Education, Fulbright-Hays Scholar, and Hubert Humphrey Fellow, and has contributed significantly to academic and community organizations through numerous publications and presentations. His accolades include multiple distinguished awards and recognitions such as the State of California Senate Resolution and California State University President’s Resolution, both in 2024, recognizing his contributions to education and community leadership.
A founding member of various African Studies and diaspora organizations, Dr. Taylor has facilitated engagements with notable African leaders and has served in leadership roles in several African community organizations. His international efforts have included leading student and faculty groups to countries like Ghana, South Africa, and China, and consulting on health programs in Ethiopia.
Before his academic career, Dr. Taylor worked in broadcasting as a news anchor and production manager for the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service and a broadcaster with the BBC African Service. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Kent State University, a Master of Philosophy from the University of Leeds, and a BA with Honors from Sheffield City Polytechnic. He has also been an active member of the Episcopal Church, involved in various governance and policy roles.
