Charise Taylor, who once believed she would never attend college, is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Texas Tech University during the winter commencement this week. Her journey toward higher education began unexpectedly during a 500-mile fundraising bike ride through the Great Smoky Mountains, where she felt compelled to change her life direction.
Taylor recalled the moment of clarity she experienced while cycling alone: “I think the Lord put me there on purpose because that was the only way I was going to listen, and I felt prompted by him that it was time to go to school. I said, ‘Well, you’re going to have to change my heart because that’s not what I want to do.’”
Following this experience in 2017, Taylor enrolled in a psychology class at South Plains College and later shifted her focus to social work. She completed her basic curriculum requirements before transferring into Texas Tech’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work within the College of Arts & Sciences. Taylor noted that transferring credits between schools was straightforward. “It was super easy transferring to Texas Tech,” she said. “The communication between the two schools is great. I had heard the social work program at Texas Tech was really good, so that’s how I came here.”
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Taylor moved to West Texas about 15 years ago as part of a church missions program and eventually settled in Lubbock for its community ties.
Cara Speer, director of the Bachelor of Social Work field education program at Texas Tech and associate professor of practice of social work, praised Taylor’s approach: “One of her greatest attributes is her authenticity. She is comfortable being herself, and people are drawn to her because of that. She has compassion for those with multiple needs and complex traumas.”
During her final-semester internship at Open Door—a nonprofit organization supporting sex trafficking survivors in Lubbock—Taylor worked directly with individuals facing significant challenges. Reflecting on these experiences she said: “That has just opened my eyes to the poverty that is here in Lubbock and just a lot of hurting people… I’ve loved being able to support them, help them find jobs, get birth certificates and get counseling and other types of medical care.”
Jaime Wheeler, survivor housing director at Open Door, also commended Taylor’s contributions: “Charise is a very compassionate person. She is willing to learn wherever she can and lead with empathy. She is a hard worker… Her attitude has been positive and encouraging, which is a great asset to have on the team.”
Speer described how Taylor connected with clients at Open Door by bringing UNO cards each week: “At first Charise couldn’t find a way to start conversations with people who were strangers.” Over time these interactions helped build relationships.
As graduation approaches after eight years pursuing higher education—six as a part-time student—Taylor reflected on how much she has changed since initially resisting college enrollment: “Time is going to pass anyway,” she said. “What am I going to do with it? I decided I was going to try to make the most of it… There was a time it just seemed like an impossible mountain but you just keep going.”
Looking ahead Taylor plans on taking her licensing exam in January while considering future options such as earning a master’s degree but does not feel rushed: “I don’t have a job lined up right now,” she said. “That’s another thing where I am going to trust God… I know a master’s would be very valuable in the social work world.”
Reflecting on her experience at Texas Tech University Taylor stated: “Texas Tech has been a great experience, and it helped me realize I had absolutely nothing to be afraid of as far as going to college,”
