Alumni Spotlight: Darian Taylor
CCPA alum Darian Taylor (B.A. ’20) credits his foundation at Meadows for shaping his leadership approach in his corporate communications career.
Darian Taylor (B.A. ’20) is this week’s featured alum in our new Alumni Spotlight series for the This Week at Meadows e-newsletter. Each week, a different Meadows alum will be highlighted for their accomplishments post-graduation.
Meadows prepares students not just to enter industries, but to lead within them. Darian Taylor, a graduate of the Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA), now serves as Senior Manager for Corporate Communications & PR at AT&T, where he helps shape messaging at one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies.
Tayor’s time in the CCPA program was foundational in helping him understand just how powerful communication can be when it’s done with intention. He learned how to think critically about messaging, audiences, and impact—not just how to write or pitch, but also how to strategize.
“It pushed me to connect storytelling with real-world outcomes,” explains Taylor, who now sees communication not simply as a skill, but as an impactful leadership tool. “That mindset has guided every step of my career and continues to shape how I show up professionally.”
Through coursework in strategy, public affairs, and crisis communications, Taylor developed a deep understanding of how messaging operates within broader corporate, political, and cultural systems. The practical, real-world foundation he gained from the CCPA program also taught him how to think strategically, communicate with clarity, and adapt quickly in dynamic environments, which are all skills that are essential in corporate communications and public relations professions.
“Together, the academic training and hands-on experience gave me the confidence to step into complex situations, align diverse stakeholders, and deliver thoughtful, effective communication; all of which directly inform how I approach my role today.”
Today at AT&T, Taylor leads corporate communications and public relations initiatives that support large-scale business priorities and enterprise transformation with work spanning executive positioning, media engagement, crisis response and proactive narrative development. In this fast-paced and high-stakes role, he advises senior leaders, responds to emerging issues, and ensures complex initiatives are communicated thoughtfully and strategically.
He notes that no two days look the same, which is a reality he embraces. Whether guiding messaging strategy or managing a time-sensitive issue, Taylor finds fulfillment in seeing how thoughtful communication builds trust, credibility, and long-term brand equity.
Between his classmates, his professors, and Meadows’ vast alumni network, Taylor remains deeply grateful for the community he found at Meadows and the meaningful work they all encouraged. That sense of connection continues to influence his professional journey and reinforces his pride in being a Meadows graduate. For current students, his advice centers on curiosity, courage and character.
“The best communicators I know are the ones who ask good questions and stay genuinely interested in how the world works,” he says, reminding us that communication, at its core, is about people. “Technical skills matter, but empathy, judgment and integrity will take you much further in the long run.”
Taylor’s career reflects that philosophy, maintaining a steady commitment to using communication responsibly, strategically and with impact.
Learn more about the Division of CCPA here.