Sade Taylor, a Vandergrift native and Pennsylvania Western University student, has been named to the State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors.
“I’m here to serve,” said Taylor, 20 and an early childhood education major at PennWest Edinboro. “I take this role very seriously. I’m committed to making students feel respected and supported.”
The Board of Governors establishes educational, fiscal and personnel policies for the 10 universities in the State System of Higher Education. The board also appoints the chancellor and university presidents, sets tuition and approves the system’s annual budget. Three seats on the 20-member board are designated for students.
A 2024 Kiski Area High School graduate, Taylor said she was first considering attending the University of Pittsburgh.
“I love that blue and gold, but I had a friend at Edinboro at the time and she said, ‘They have an amazing education program, and you should look into it,’ ” said Taylor, who is finishing her sophomore year.
A campus visit at Edinboro sealed the deal.
“It gave the perfect, Hallmark small-town vibes,” she said. “I knew this was where I was meant to be.”
At Kiski Area, Taylor was involved in color guard, served as a student mentor and started the school’s Black Student Union. Her civic involvement transferred when she became a college student.
At PennWest, Taylor is a member of the Honors Program and is parliamentarian for the Student Government Association. She is involved with Leadership Academy, Black Student Union and works with the Office of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility and Engagement to support student engagement and inclusive programming.
Taylor also serves as a Wellness Peer Educator, leading workshops focused on mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. She has presented at an Erie County suicide prevention conference.
“I’ve always been passionate about advocating not only for myself but for others,” she said. “I’m a very outgoing person, I will be the person to be the voice and speak up and help them in whatever shape and form.”
Taylor, a first-generation college student, is the daughter of Clifford and Hope Taylor. Her siblings are Andrew, 23, Abrahm, 17, Ziporah, 17 and Ashton, 14.
She thanked her parents for their support along the way.
“They have worked so hard my entire life to get us the best life we could dream of,” she said. “Without them, I couldn’t be in the position.”
Taylor said topics that are important to students include affordability and access.
“I want to make sure all students are heard and their experiences are presented, in all the decisions being made,” she said.
Taylor will serve on the board until her graduation. The other two students named to the board are Brenna McGowan of Kutztown University and Ali Sina Sharifi of Shippensburg University.
“I am proud that PASSHE’s governing board includes three students who serve as full voting members,” said Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “Each student brings a perspective and passion that is important for the entire board to understand. I commend them for their commitment to serving students across the system.”