On April 1, 2023, Saint Augustine’s University (91�ֿ�) Chief Technology Officer Christopher Taylor received the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award at the 84th annual Alumni Awards Banquet hosted by Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association (MUAA) at the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall.

Taylor graduated from Marshall in 2008 and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer forensics. After leaving Marshall, he worked with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. As part of his work, Taylor, who grew up in Keyser, West Virginia, could travel to several major cities nationwide. At present, Taylor has visited 43 states. He also owns his own company, Melanin Travels LLC, which encourages all people, but specifically people of color, to travel more. He has traveled to Aruba, Dubai, Rome, Lisbon, Barcelona, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Mexico, and Jamaica through his company.

After leaving TSA and DHS, Taylor moved to South Korea and taught English as a second language at Noble Academy. When he returned to the U.S., Taylor moved to Washington, D.C., and worked as a government contractor at the Securities and Exchange Commission. In 2014, he received his Cisco certification and moved to San Francisco. In 2017, he returned to the East Coast and moved to North Carolina.��

to read more about Marshall University’s 84th annual Alumni Awards Banquet.

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The funding is part of the $33.5 million in grants����to expand community technology hubs, upgrade classroom technology, and increase digital literacy skills at 12 minority-serving colleges and universities in 10 states.

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“High-speed Internet service is going to create opportunities, increase productivity, and improve lives, particularly in communities that have too often been left behind.” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Graves����“At the Commerce Department, we’re committed to seeing investments from initiatives like the Connecting Minority Communities program create opportunities for good jobs supported by equitable hiring, fair compensation, safe workplaces, and the tools and training needed for long-term success.”

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The 91�ֿ� Broadband Upgrade and Digital Equity Initiative aim to increase Internet bandwidth capacity and connectivity at 91�ֿ� and build digital literacy skills to promote digital equity within the 91�ֿ� campus and anchor communities.

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“Expanding broadband access is essential for student success,” says 91�ֿ� President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. “This award is evidence of the role 91�ֿ� plays as a driver of digital equity and positions the university to fulfill its mission beyond its gates.”

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The activities involved with the initiative include upgrading existing broadband facilities and resources to increase Internet bandwidth capacity and create a digital navigator program. Digital navigators will assist community members in Internet adoption and computing devices. In addition, the university will partner with the information technology (IT) minority business enterprise (MBE), Cycurion, to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program to improve the stewardship of its digital assets. 91�ֿ� will also transform traditional classrooms into smart classroom environments.

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“Our main focus is to expand 91�ֿ�’s technology in the classrooms,” said 91�ֿ� Chief Technology Officer Christopher Taylor. “In addition, receiving this award also provides the university with the support needed to serve its surrounding community through our public health and digital equity initiatives.”

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