​Early Career College of Science and Health Alumni Achievement Award

Taylor Rose Schmitt, PhD

Taylor Rose Schmitt

Dr. Taylor Schmitt, a 2015 graduate of DePaul University with a degree in psychology and a concentration in cognitive neuroscience, has quickly established herself as a leader in the field of clinical neuropsychology. As an undergraduate, Taylor not only excelled academically but also demonstrated exceptional leadership by co-founding the SLICE program, an initiative aimed at educating middle school students on concussion prevention. Her dedication to both the program and her research resulted in several local and national conference presentations, marking the start of a promising career. After completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at St. Louis University, Taylor pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at Michigan Medicine, of the University of Michigan, where she achieved her goal of becoming a Clinical Neuropsychologist. She is now a Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Michigan Medicine, where she evaluates patients in the neuropsychology clinic, supervises and mentors postdoctoral fellows, and conducts research, with 13 peer-reviewed publications and 30 abstract presentations to her name.

In addition to her academic and professional achievements, Dr. Schmitt has made significant strides in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within neuropsychology. Recognizing the lack of underrepresented minoritized (URM) professionals in the field, she founded New2Neuropsychology (N2N), an organization that introduces URM students to neuropsychology and connects them with resources to enhance their competitiveness for graduate school and careers. Through N2N, Taylor has partnered with multiple professional organizations and minority-serving educational institutions to reach over 550 students across 27 schools. In partnership with the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, N2N has also provided $84,000 in scholarships to URM students for conference travel and graduate school applications, making a substantial impact on the diversity of the field. Her commitment to DePaul is evident, as she continues to offer support and guidance to current students interested in neuropsychology.

Dr. Schmitt's advocacy extends beyond her own organization. In 2022, she was selected as an at-large delegate to the Minnesota Conference (MNC), where she has contributed to revising neuropsychology training guidelines with a focus on centering equity and justice. Her advocacy efforts within the MNC have elevated voices from URM groups, and she continues to advocate for the implementation of DEI competencies in neuropsychology training programs. Through her pioneering work in DEI, research, and education, Dr. Schmitt embodies DePaul University's mission of ensuring that scientific knowledge and health practices are accessible to all.