This UT Student Takes Every Opportunity That Comes Her Way
This UT Student Takes Every Opportunity That Comes Her Way
By Abby Ann Ramsey Peters (’24)
Heather Taylor (Class of 2027) has thrown herself into just about everything the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has to offer.
A public affairs and English double major, Taylor is the president of the Baker School Student Association and a member of the Haslam Business Law Society. She’s a first-year seminar peer mentor, an ambassador for the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, works at the Student Union’s Information Desk and Big Orange Tix Office, and is conducting research as part of the competitive Baker Scholars Program. Last summer, she had the opportunity to intern for Congressman Scott DesJarlais in the US House of Representatives.
A first-generation college student who moved to Knoxville from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, Taylor has always taken every learning opportunity that comes her way.
“My time in the Baker School has not only developed my ability to think critically and communicate clearly, but it has also reinforced my passion for exploring ideas in depth,” says Taylor. “It has given me the foundation I need as I take the next step toward law school and, ultimately, my career in the legal field.”
Diving into Education
One of Taylor’s first memories of realizing she loved school and learning was in third grade when she won an award for her work in her science class. By fifth grade, she was considering law school, and by sixth grade, she was confident in her decision.
In high school, she participated in Upward Bound, a program that helps provide college opportunities for first-generation college students. Through the program, she toured colleges across the state.
“Every college that we went to, I’d think, ‘Okay, I’ll keep that in the back of my mind,’” says Taylor. “But as soon as we toured UT, I thought, ‘This is exactly where I need to be.’”
Taylor, who entered her first year as a political science major, ended up living in the Baker School Living Learning Community. She was looking to be around people with similar interests, and the LLC experience ultimately compelled her to pivot to the Baker School, which has equipped her with resources to explore various career avenues and ultimately prepare for law school.
Because of the Baker School, Taylor was able to intern for Congressman DesJarlais and experience firsthand what it would be like to work in DC politics. She fielded hundreds of phone calls from constituents and got to witness committee hearings, including one regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the wake of the July 2025 Central Texas floods.
“Every college that we went to, I’d think, ‘Okay, I’ll keep that in the back of my mind.’ But as soon as we toured UT, I thought, ‘This is exactly where I need to be.’”
Heather Taylor (Class of 2027)
Witnessing that committee hearing helped kickstart the idea for her thesis and compelled her to apply for the Baker Scholars Program, which offers students an opportunity to complete research that contributes toward an understanding of public policy issues, governance, civic engagement, or public service.
Taylor’s Baker Scholar thesis sits at the intersection of her personal background in emergency management and her love for school and education. The thesis evaluates policy frameworks regarding FEMA before and after Hurricane Katrina and how those frameworks impacted children’s education at the time.
Taylor was born in Louisiana just a year before Hurricane Katrina hit the state. Her family moved to Tennessee in the wake of the aftermath.
“Hurricane Katrina impacted my family so much, and I always think, if that hadn’t happened, where would I be now?” says Taylor. “It’s incredible to have an opportunity to study something that was so formative for my family.”
The Tools for Success
Getting to experience the world of politics, research a topic that’s close to home, and mentor other students has cemented Taylor’s dream of becoming a lawyer by helping her discover her strengths and passions. What started out as a proclivity for public speaking and arguing has turned into a deep-seated calling, and Taylor is considering going into medical malpractice or corporate law.
“My dream has never changed, but taking advantage of what the Baker School has had to offer has made me even more confident in that decision and more confident about my ability to succeed in law school,” says Taylor.
That dream can become a reality thanks to scholarships that cover Taylor’s college costs, including the Tennessee Pledge Scholarship and the Jim Haslam Baker Scholar Scholarship created through the generosity of James A. Haslam II and his late wife, Natalie L. Haslam. Having a full ride has allowed her to pursue countless academic and community endeavors at UT that will set her up for success in law school and in her career.
To the donors who have made this possible, I would simply say thank you. Not just for funding my education, but for investing in my future and in the futures of so many others. Your support empowers us to dream bigger, achieve more, and one day give back in the same spirit of generosity that made our success possible.”
Heather Taylor (Class of 2027)
“This support has not only made my education possible but has also opened doors I never imagined,” says Taylor. “None of these opportunities would have been within reach without the generosity of donors who believe in students like me.
“To the donors who have made that possible, I would simply say thank you. Not just for funding my education, but for investing in my future and in the futures of so many others. Donor support empowers us to dream bigger, achieve more, and one day give back in the same spirit of generosity that made our success possible.”
Because for Taylor, making a difference is at the root of it all. She’s had countless opportunities for professional and academic growth at UT, but one of her favorite parts of her experience has been immersing herself in community and discovering how she can one day give back.
She is the second oldest of six children raised by a single mother, whom Taylor credits for much of her success. She found her best friend and current roommate through the Baker School LLC, and she feels immensely empowered by the close, personal support offered by her academic advisor at the Baker School.
For Taylor, those kinds of communities are what have inspired her to take what she’s learned as a Volunteer into her career.
“As Volunteers, we engage with our community, we participate fully in campus life, and we give back as much as we have been graciously given and earned,” says Taylor. “At UT, being a Volunteer is not just a title—it’s a commitment to service, leadership, and making a difference.”
