Taylor Lane chosen as College of Education 2024 Summer Student Marshal

Taylor Lane, an undergraduate student majoring in rehabilitation and disability studies, will represent the College of Education as the student marshal for Auburn University’s summer 2024 commencement ceremonies.

Lane was raised in Jemison, Alabama, and graduated from Jemison High School in 2020 before beginning her collegiate career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham majoring in Kinesiology. Prior to her sophomore year, Lane transferred to her dream school, Auburn, and hopes to remain in the community for the next several years.

Though she started as an exercise science major, Lane switched to rehabilitation and disability studies and was invited to attend the Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum. Through this experience, Lane found her passion for helping others, especially those with disabilities and special needs.

“I took a leap of faith and decided to go,” Lane said. “That summer is when I really fell in love with people with disabilities and special needs and I haven’t looked back since. I truly feel that loving others is my purpose in this world, and this major has helped me do that more than I could have ever imagined.”

During her time on the Plains, Lane was involved in the Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Club, and she built strong relationships with her classmates as they navigated the program together, which was one of her favorite parts of attending Auburn.

“To put it simply, it just felt like home,” said Lane. “My peers and I shared all the same classes, and it was so easy to build a community that felt like family in this program. My time at Auburn truly made my life better for the good.”

Lane is currently interning at East Alabama Medical Center and will take a position at the hospital as a rehabilitation aide for one year following her graduation. During that time, she plans to apply for graduate programs, and after obtaining her doctorate in occupational therapy she hopes to specialize in pediatrics. She would like to work with children who have autism and potentially become a neonatal occupational therapist.

“Taylor is an absolute joy to work with,” said Nicholas Derzis, clinical professor in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling. “She consistently has a positive attitude and the willingness to learn about the rehabilitation process. We are excited about her future as an occupational therapist.”