AAMU Sophomore Among Five STEM Students Nationwide Selected for Rev. Jesse Jackson Fellows Award
Taylor Earns $75,000 Scholarship, Toyota Internship
Alabama A&M University sophomore Jhaylin Taylor has earned a $75,000 national scholarship and a multi-summer internship opportunity with Toyota, becoming one of just five STEM students nationwide selected for the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Fellows Scholarship.
“This award is a testimony of my faith in the Lord and a tribute to my family, who told me to never give up on myself,” Taylor said.
The computer science major from Phenix City, Alabama, was among 10 students nationwide selected for the Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fellows Scholarship, which provides $25,000 annually for three years to exceptional students pursuing STEM or business-related degrees. The scholarship is awarded through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in partnership with the Toyota USA Foundation.
Taylor advanced through a competitive national selection process involving 20 semifinalists from institutions including Morehouse College, Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University and Clark Atlanta University, along with universities in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma.
Her journey began when her mother shared the scholarship application and encouraged her to apply. That encouragement eventually took Taylor to Toyota’s North American headquarters in Plano, Texas, where she participated in rigorous interviews, a pitch competition and hands-on technology challenges.
During the summer experience, Taylor toured Toyota’s facilities, connected with company professionals and explored Sym Studio, an artificial intelligence platform used to develop solutions to real-world problems. Serving as her group’s Sym operator, she strengthened her technical, communication and teamwork skills while addressing challenges facing the company.
Jhaylin Taylor presents Project 2050, a proposal focused on sustainability, diversity and empowering Toyota dealership owners.
“Toyota is filled with diverse individuals, and across every sector, I felt genuinely welcomed and supported throughout the entire program,” she said.
Taylor will being her Toyota internship in summer 2027 in Plano, Texas.
A first-generation college student from a military family, Taylor plans to use the scholarship to help pay for her education and prepare for life after graduation.
She expects to graduate in fall 2028 and hopes to pursue a career in cybersecurity or software engineering.
“As an engineer, my goal is to make people feel safe and to render technology accessible and useful for all,” she said.
Taylor is already making an impact at AAMU. As a Student Government Association senator representing the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences, she created the Engineering Opportunity Hub to help fellow students discover scholarships, internships, fellowships and career opportunities.
She also serves as community engagement chair for Girls Who Code and mentors students through the University’s Honors Program.
Taylor said she chose Alabama A&M because of its welcoming atmosphere and the connections she made with alumni and professors before enrolling.
“Attending an HBCU was always the plan, but AAMU felt like home during the tour because of the connections I made with alumni and professors before enrolling,” she said.
For Taylor, the national recognition reinforces the value of perseverance and pursuing opportunities even when the odds seem daunting.
“I kept applying and ended up landing the golden ticket—traveling to their headquarters and pushing through a very rigorous process. It has truly been a rewarding experience.”