Great Grads: Taylor Geathers

Geathers Overcomes Obstacles to Pursue Degree in Social Work

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Juggling a personal life, responsibilities at home and an education is tough, but Taylor Geathers ’23 is tougher.

Not only is she graduating from Johnson C. Smith University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree, but she did it all as a wife and mother of three, including one child with a rare neurogenetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome.

Angelman Syndrome causes developmental disabilities and nerve-related symptoms. Characteristic features can include delayed development, speech impairments and problems with movement and balance.

“While going to school and being a mother to a child with a neurogenetic disorder, I have to lean on my family strongly for support,” she said. “My husband and I have made many sacrifices with time and resources to ensure our daughter and all of our children are comfortable and well taken care of when we are preoccupied with work and school.”

Geathers said she chose JCSU because the School of Social Work program allowed her to pursue her passions while offering a flexible schedule so she could be a full-time mother and a full-time student.

She started her collegiate journey at Florida A&M University, but returned back to her hometown to attend Horry Georgetown Technical College where she earned as associate degree in Education.

“Following that, I had my daughter, and pursuing my education took a backseat to parenting,” she said.”

Now that she’s had the chance to earn her undergraduate degree, Geathers hopes to spend some time exploring different career paths in the social work field. In the summer, she will begin Appalachian State University’s Online Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program.

During her year-long master’s program, she plans to intern with the healthcare system to gain knowledge and experience.

“Long term, I would like to go into advocacy and policy social work in some aspect,” she said. “I’m not 100 percent sure what that will look like. I have begun working with the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Geathers said she’s enjoyed her time at JCSU and feels well prepared for what is to come as she pursues her master’s degree.

“JCSU has made me an excellent writer and researcher,” she said. “My professors have offered constructive criticism which has allowed me to grow in all areas.”

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