"I have been a Bulldog for as long as I can remember," she said. "My grandma, Diana Dille, worked for the Career Development Center and the Kremen School of Education. I remember as a child wandering the halls of the lower level of the Kremen school saying 'hi' to all the staff and faculty, and, of course, snagging a candy or two from my grandma's desk. She always had candy for the little ones attending the preschool down the hall from her."

Her grandmother, Diana Dille, was awarded the Richter Award of Excellence in 2005.

"Funny how things come full circle and I now have the opportunity to work in the Richter Center," she said.

Taylan sees her position as special projects coordinator as a chance to be an agent of change.

"I am thankful the Richter Center saw the potential in me and my desire to serve our students," she said.

Although she was definitely a Bulldog, she was not always clear about the career path she wanted to take. In 2010 she began her undergraduate degree in Philosophy of Law and studied abroad in London.

"My intent was to attend law school and then something funny happened. I found my true passion," she said.

As a graduate assistant for Clubs and Organizations in the Student Involvement Office on campus in 2014, she had the opportunity to work with clubs and organizations. Plus, she helped with Vintage Days, Homecoming, Convocation, Commencement, and many other campus programs.

"I was the president of Delta Gamma Fraternity, and found true joy in working with college students," she said. "I saw their potential, their eagerness, and their passion: not just for Delta Gamma, but in their academics, their jobs, and their other co-curricular activities. I wanted to in some way be a part of their college journey."

In the spring of 2016, she received her master’s degree in Higher Education, Administration, and Leadership.

"Once I realized that this could be my career, I knew I had found my calling," she said.

Taylan loves working with student leaders.

"These are the current and future change agents in our community, each one of them with unique talents and ideas," she said.

Her main responsibility is to be a resource for students.

"Whether it is helping them develop their leadership skills, walking them through the steps to plan a service event, or simply providing an open door for life conversations, I am here for them, and I am here because of them," she said.

She oversees three student leadership teams within the Richter Center, including the SERVE Committee, the Reflection Facilitators, and the Service-Learning Coaches.

In addition, she implements a number of community engagement and service-learning projects and programs, including four on-campus Blood Drives, Kids Day, Make a Difference Day, Serving Fresno Day, and Spring into Service. She also coordinates the University Student Volunteer of the Year award program, the Holiday Gift Project, and the Spirit of Service Recognition Reception.

But even though she loves Fresno, traveling has always been a passion for her, inspired in part by her grandfather, who was a pilot.

When not at work, she enjoys time with family. She and her husband, Joey Parker, were born and raised in the Central Valley and have most of their family here.

Married since October 2015, she and her husband have two dogs, Sailor and Delilah, who are both rather spoiled.