Dr. Tracey Taylor-Jarrell

Dr. Tracey Taylor-Jarrell is a native and lifelong resident of Zachary, Louisiana, and a 1988 graduate of Zachary High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern University, an Executive MBA from Texas Southern University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Southern University’s Nelson Mandela School of Government and Social Sciences, where she was a member of Cohort I of the Executive Ph.D. Program. 

Dr. Taylor-Jarrell currently serves as Executive Director for the Southern University Board of Supervisors, a role she has held for more than five years. In this capacity, she provides strategic leadership, policy oversight, and governance support for one of Louisiana’s most prominent historically Black university systems. She works closely with board trustees, administrators, faculty, and students to advance the university’s mission, strengthen board effectiveness, and ensure institutional accountability. She is deeply committed to supporting students directly, assisting them with academic, administrative, and personal challenges, and serving as a resource and advocate to help them navigate their college experience successfully.

Her professional experience spans more than fifteen years as a corporate tax accountant in both the public and private sectors, with expertise in taxation, energy, and complex financial management. She has held roles with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and major corporations including ExxonMobil, Marathon Oil, TransCanada, LyondellBasell, and Linn Energy. Earlier in her career, she also held licensure as a funeral director, demonstrating her commitment to service and community engagement.

She is actively involved in community and professional service and values initiatives that promote access, equity and sustainable outcomes.  A committed civic and alumni leader, Dr. Taylor-Jarrell has served as President of the Southern University Alumni Federation Houston Chapter and as National First Vice President, driving membership growth and developing innovative engagement programs. She currently serves as an appointed board member of Zachary Community School District No. 1.

Her professional and civic affiliations include the American Society for Public Administration (Louisiana Chapter), Gamma Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Tax Executives Institute, and the Council on State Taxation (COST). She is recognized for her ability to combine strategic financial expertise, governance knowledge, and higher-education leadership to support institutional excellence.