Aaron Taylor, assistant dean of UALR’s William H. Bowen School of Law, is now a doctor – twice over.

Taylor recently completed the doctor of education program at Vanderbilt University with a focus on higher education leadership and policy. The title of his dissertation project was “Do Birds of a Feather Flock Together? A Study of the Effects of High Commitment Group Membership on Student Departure from College.”

Taylor’s research worked to connect retention rates at residential colleges with student participation in Greek-letter organizations and varsity athletics at Rhodes College in Memphis.

This is Taylor’s second doctorate, as he earned a juris doctor degree in 2000 from Howard University. And while he won’t be practicing any bedside manner, Taylor will continue to bring the best and brightest to Little Rock, home of the state’s premier law school.

“My goal in studying higher education policy was to gain insight that would aid me in my role as admissions dean at Bowen,” Taylor said. “Our goal has always been to attract the best students – those with well-rounded abilities, interests, and perspectives. This degree will help strengthen our ability to recruit and retain students who are committed to Bowen’s emphasis on public service, professionalism, and access to justice.”

Taylor joined the law school in 2006 from Harvard University, where he managed admissions for five master’s degree programs in the Graduate School of Education. Previously, he practiced ethics law before serving as assistant director of admission at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law.

In addition to his work at Bowen, Taylor serves on the Law School Admission Council Finance and Legal Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Arkansas Bar and the Florida Bar.