Resume
One of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, wrote "two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I . . . took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference." My career has been much like taking the road less traveled. From ministry as the associate pastor at Wingate Baptist Church (1997-2001) and as the associate minister at St. John's Baptist Church (2001-2009) to becoming an entrepreneur and migrating into higher education, my path has been varied. My former company, Blythe Taylor Coaching (2008-2015), provided life coaching services that grew into a focus on collegiate success coaching and on aiding institutions of higher education to employ the skill for retention purposes. That focus led me to become a success coach and first year academic advisor at Wingate University (2010-2015) before transitioning to Barton College (2015-2024) where I served in a variety of roles culminating as assistant provost for integrative learning. I am honored to work as a freelance spiritual director and to teach as an adjunct instructor in public speaking at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Education
1990-1994
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
At Meredith, I learned what it means to be a strong woman. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication with a minor in Spanish. I wrote my senior thesis on gender communication in the church. I served as the freshman class historian, the sophomore class secretary, the junior class vice president, the senior class president, president of Class Council and was a member of the esteemed Silver Shield Leadership Honor Society.
1994-1997
The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Richmond, VA
BTSR provided life long friends who understand the challenges generated when working out one's faith in an academic setting. Here, I achieved a Master of Divinity degree and immersed myself in subjects that made me thirsty for more depth like spirituality, Christian education, and homiletics. I won the John and Charlotte Canning award for promise in pastoral ministry and preaching. I played a significant role in planning the inauguration of the first president and I served on the social committee and the convocation and lectures committee.
2016-2018
Spokane WA
A Jesuit education offers an inspiring experience to plumb the depths of one's context and experience through reflection, action, and evaluation. At Gonzaga, I achieved a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies with a focus in teaching. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 and was honored to be inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society. My research, entitled Transitional Stories, addressed how monologic storytelling can facilitate peace in communities.
2024-2028
Los Angeles, CA
In the fall of 2024, I began a Doctor of Ministry degree in spiritual renewal, contemplative practice, and strategic leadership at Claremont School of Theology in Los Angeles, California. As I enter the fall of 2025, I continue as a student at Claremont but am transitioning to a new doctoral program. I am delighted to be one of the thirteen inaugural students in the Doctor of Spirituality program where I will be focusing on spiritual direction supervision and will be continuing my work toward developing a pay as you can teahouse and cafe in my hometown.