Tayten Allison

This award is presented to the Student Affairs employee or group of employees who actively engage students or colleagues in exploring, practicing, and living the Aspirations for Student Learning. Their work meaningfully encourages others to connect the Aspirations to their personal and professional lives.

This year’s award goes to someone with exceptional ability to transform everyday work into meaningful learning experiences for students.

Tayten Allison serves as Assistant Director for Communications Strategy in Marketing and Communications. Her work with student employees, CampusEXP interns, iWILL participants, and other student initiatives reflects her deep commitment to student learning.

Tayten meets students where they are. Whether she is supporting her interns in creating a fun new video for Student Affairs social media channels, presenting on career preparation at iWILL, or coaching someone through a professional challenge, she approaches every interaction as an opportunity to teach, mentor, and invest in student development. She consistently creates experiences that help students discover their potential while helping them feel students feel valued and heard. She is a champion for student success, always taking the time to provide feedback or celebrate wins. Students leave these experiences with technical skills and greater confidence in themselves and a stronger understanding of how they can make an impact.

Tayten's passion for students is evident in her work. She has shared that her goal is helping students become aware of and take advantage of the many programs, resources, and opportunities available through Student Affairs, and that commitment drives everything she does. She has also devoted her time to initiatives focused on student well-being, belonging, and creating safe and inclusive communities, demonstrating her belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive.

What makes her impact especially meaningful is that students get to be partners in her work and the work of Student Affairs. She empowers them to think critically, contribute creatively, and see themselves as leaders. Through her mentorship, students learn how their unique talents can contribute to something larger than themselves.

The Aspirations for Student Learning challenge us to create experiences that help students learn, reflect, engage, and grow. Tayten embodies that work every day. Her mentorship, encouragement, and genuine care for students have had a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to learn alongside her. Student Affairs is proud to present her with the Aspirations for Student Learning-ExperienceVT Award.