Taylor staff members Scott Barrett and Debby Cheruiyot Bii began serving in different capacities this spring.
Barrett served as Taylor’s director of residence life for the past five and a half years. On Nov. 30, 2020, he transitioned to a role at the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) as the Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment/Coordinator of Academic Support.
Vice President for Student Development Skip Trudeau announced the personnel change in an email to the Taylor community on Nov. 24, 2020.
“While his friends and colleagues in Student Development will miss the day-to-day interaction with Scott, we are glad he is staying at Taylor and wish him well in his new endeavor,” Trudeau said. “The AEC staff are excited about him joining their efforts and look forward to many years of working together to support Taylor University Students.”
Barrett will specifically focus on helping students with disabilities. This includes access to accommodations for homework, tests, exams and similar material, as well as support and encouragement.
Barrett said he now has the opportunity to advocate for students’ health, family situations or disabilities that create academic challenges. He is excited to be a part of the academic mission of Taylor.
“The opportunity to try to help students succeed in the classroom through academic support is something that motivates and excites me,” Barrett said. “I get to work with great students who are determined and willing. The AEC team is a great group to be a part of as well.”
Starting in 2018, Cheruiyot Bii served as the director of international programs in Taylor’s Office of Intercultural Programs (OIP). As of Jan. 1, 2021, she began working under Student Development in the Taylor Student Organization (TSO) as the assistant director of student programs.
Cheruiyot Bii’s new position was announced over email by Director of Student Leadership and Cultural Programs Maribel Magallanes, as well as the Vice President of Intercultural Leadership and Church Relations, the Rev. Greg Dyson. The email, sent in December 2020, included a word of welcome to Cheruiyot Bii from Associate Dean and Director of Student Programs Steve Austin.
"We warmly welcome Debby Cheruiyot Bii into Student Development and the… (TSO),” Austin said. “As a fellow educator and Student Development Faculty Member, Debby brings educational expertise, leadership, and a wise presence (amongst other skills and qualities) to our office culture, programs, and holistic work with students."
The email added that Cheruiyot Bii will continue to provide transitional assistance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) as the primary designated school official during the 2021 spring semester. Her work with SEVIS will only be a portion of her new role as she provides direction and support for the TSO and Global Engagement cabinets.
