Emily Taylor, a student in the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS), was recently elected president of the SPS Student Government (SPSSG).
With experience in the nonprofit legal field, Taylor has seen firsthand the positive impact well-managed organizations can have on a community. In an interview with SPS, Taylor said that she hopes to use this expertise to build on the achievements of past SPSSG presidents. In doing so, she aims to “support a more diverse student representation and robust operating procedures; ensure sustainability and scalable initiatives for students; and show SPS, other schools at Columbia, and the world that the School of Professional Studies is where students can gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make real impact wherever they go after graduation.”
The road Taylor took to get to SPS was far from straightforward. In 2018, she moved out of her hometown in Idaho to pursue her studies in Utah. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Utah Valley University while working remotely for the nonprofit department of a Las Vegas–based law firm, Anderson Business Advisors. During her approximately two years at the firm, she assisted a variety of nonprofits with formation documentation and other legal filings, fundraising, grant application writing, and taxes. Then, in 2023, she moved to New York to pursue her M.S. in Nonprofit Management.
Joining the Student Government in her first semester at SPS was a meaningful part of Taylor’s personal journey. After two semesters in SPSSG, with one spent serving on the Executive Board, Taylor was more than ready to run her campaign for president.
“After careful consideration, I knew that I was willing to lean in and give back to this organization that had welcomed me with open arms and enhanced my student experience at SPS so unequivocally.”
By applying her skill set and experiences to structural issues, such as by reviewing and updating SPSSG’s governing documents, Taylor said, “I hope to make SPS, and SPSSG in particular, a place where everyone is welcome and listened to.
About SPS Student Government
The mission of the SPS Student Government (SPSSG) is to create a unified community for all students across SPS programs. The SPSSG is elected by their peers to represent each master's program as well as the student body at large and advocates for student interests before the SPS administration, faculty, alumni, and the greater Columbia University Community.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, health care, and the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
