Nigel Taylor

Student Speaker, May 2025

Taylor, from Malden, Massachusetts, is graduating with a doctoral degree in communication from the UK College of Communication and Information. He will deliver the student address at the 6 p.m. Friday, May 9, ceremony. 

Taylor previously earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from UK in 2016, followed by a master’s in media ventures from Boston University in 2017. Returning to UK at age 25 to pursue his Ph.D., he says the experience has felt like a “full-circle moment.”

“This journey has meant everything to me,” Taylor said. “My community here has poured into me in ways that have deeply shaped the man I am today and the one I continue striving to become.”

During his time at UK, Taylor has been a dedicated campus leader. He served as an ambassador for the Martin Luther King Center and founded Underground Perspective, a student organization that encourages open dialogue, growth and belonging. Known affectionately as “uncle” or “gramps” by many undergraduates, he has helped create community on campus through efforts like an annual Thanksgiving dinner he hosts for students unable to travel home.

Taylor also collaborated with fellow UK alumni to co-author the children’s book, “The Endless Possibilities with Nora and Vincent.” This story follows two Black children as they explore various career paths, aiming to inspire children of color to envision a wide range of futures for themselves. Read more about the book and collaboration here.

His doctoral dissertation, titled “Black Love, Media Portrayals, and Social Identity,” explores how media stereotypes about Black relationships influence Black individuals’ perceptions, shaping their understanding and expectations of love. Following graduation, he plans to continue his career as a content creator, relationship coach and event planner. His ultimate dream: becoming a talk show host.

Taylor says delivering the student commencement address is the realization of a long-held dream.

“I hope they take away the message that it’s okay not to have everything figured out,” he said. “What matters most is recognizing that at every stage, you are still enough just as you are.”