Becky Olive-Taylor has been named associate dean of academic support services at Elon, effective June 1. In her new role, she will direct Elon’s programs in academic advising, tutoring and disability services. She will succeed Lela Faye Rich, who is retiring after 29 years at Elon.
Olive-Taylor has worked at Elon since 1978 and as associate director of academic advising since 2002. She has coordinated the Elon 101 freshman seminar course, which introduces new students to college life and provides academic and social support during the transition from high school to college. She has expanded and refined Elon’s tutoring program and collaboratively designed instruments to measure the success of academic advising efforts in the advising center and the Elon 101 program. Olive-Taylor has also worked closely with new faculty orientation to train new academic advisors.
“I am excited to continue my work with this team of dedicated professionals who take pride in their service to students,” said Olive-Taylor. “It’s a great time to be at Elon. Our facilities, students, faculty and staff grow stronger each year.”
Olive-Taylor joined the English department faculty in 1978 and served as assistant director of academic advising from 1990 to 2002. She is a member of the National Academic Advising Association and the North Carolina College Personnel Association, and frequently presents at regional and national conferences on academic advising.
Olive-Taylor graduated from Meredith College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and certifications in early childhood teaching and social work. She earned a master’s degree in reading and language arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.