Christian Brothers University’s National Alumni Board has named Dr. Colby Taylor, associate professor of behavioral sciences, the recipient of the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award.
Since joining CBU in 2016, Taylor has taught undergraduate behavioral sciences courses and graduate courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes a CBU faculty member whose innovative, engaging and student-centered teaching meaningfully influences students’ academic, professional and personal growth. Nominations are submitted by CBU faculty, staff, students and alumni.
In the Classroom
He describes his classroom values with four words: curiosity, compassion, character and critical thinking. His goal is to create an environment in which students feel supported and encouraged while also being challenged to grow.
CBU senior Rachel Johnson praised Taylor’s ability to reach learners through a variety of teaching and assessment methods. “Dr. Taylor’s vast knowledge of psychological concepts and learning theory allows him to be sensitive to the diverse learning styles of students,” Johnson wrote. “He understands that every student learns differently.”
Johnson also highlighted Taylor’s accessibility, open-door policy and willingness to respond to feedback while maintaining the integrity of his courses. “He is willing to answer any question that arises and provide additional clarification when needed,” Johnson wrote. “He always asks students for feedback and is willing to change policy or practice to accommodate the needs of the majority of students.”
A Foundation for Teaching Excellence
Taylor’s commitment to education is rooted in his Memphis upbringing and his own Catholic education. He attended St. Benedict at Auburndale School from pre-kindergarten through high school. His mother, Dea Taylor, taught at St. Francis Catholic School for more than 20 years, and Taylor credits her – along with the teachers who shaped his education – with inspiring his passion for teaching.
After graduating from St. Benedict, Taylor attended the University of Memphis, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010 and a master’s degree in psychology in 2012. During his graduate studies, he received the William H. Ballard Award, which recognizes Tennessee’s top doctoral student in school psychology.
Taylor earned his Ph.D. in psychology in 2015 after completing a doctoral internship in Kauai through the Hawaii Psychology Internship Consortium. He subsequently returned to Memphis for postdoctoral training with Shelby County Schools and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Center on Developmental Disabilities.
Service, Scholarship and Life Beyond the Classroom
In addition to teaching, Taylor maintains an active research agenda. He has published more than 10 scholarly articles, presented at dozens of national and regional conferences, and supervised numerous student research projects and conference presentations. At CBU, he has served on several committees and held multiple leadership positions, including president of the Faculty Assembly.
The Teaching Excellence Award adds to a growing list of honors recognizing Taylor’s work in the classroom. He received the Tracie Burke Distinguished Honors Professor of the Year Award in 2024. In 2025, he was named the SPARK Educator of the Year for Memphis, and his teaching was featured on WKNO.
Taylor is especially passionate about autism, and his work extends throughout the Memphis community. He serves on the board of Students Tackling Autism-Related Syndromes, or STARS, and volunteers with the organization’s InsideOut program, which helps autistic students participate in exercise and wellness activities.
He also helps train doctoral-level healthcare professionals in autism diagnosis through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and serves as faculty in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program.
Outside the classroom, Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Lauren Sims Taylor, and their three children, Emersyn, Rowan and Arlo. A self-described “nerd” and trivia enthusiast, he has appeared on both Jeopardy! and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Dr. Taylor will be presented with the award at BUCtoberfest during Alumni Weekend @ Homecoming, sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners, being held September 25 and 26.
