Jackson Taylor

Finance and Economics Major

It was the bottom of the ninth, two outs, and the bases were loaded at Indiana State University’s Bob Warn Field. The pitcher wound up, the ball rocketed off the bat, and now it was Jackson Taylor’s moment. As the team’s second baseman, he lunged as the ball flew toward the gap between him and the shortstop.

The crowd was on its feet. Taylor extended his glove and felt the satisfying thud of leather meeting the baseball. He quickly twisted on his heel, firing the ball to third base in one fluid motion. He had done his job. Sycamores win!

For Taylor, moments like these—moments that only the game of baseball can deliver—are exactly why he spent the past four years pouring everything he has into Indiana State’s baseball team. “Being able to play a part in the winning tradition that Indiana State baseball has embodied over the last several decades is something that I will remember for as long as I live,” he says.

But baseball isn’t just about competition for Taylor. His teammates and coaching staff have created a supportive community, and he is proud to be part of it. He remarks, “Belonging to something bigger than myself is a big reason why I enjoy being a baseball player.”

Jackson Taylor playing baseball for Indiana State Athletics (photos/Indiana State Athletics).

Off the field, Taylor is just as dedicated to his academics. A recent finance and economics graduate from Muncie, Indiana, Taylor found a home within the Scott College of Business at Indiana State. There, he discovered his passion for finance—specifically, his interest in how economic trends and financial principles can drive entrepreneurship and small business growth.

“The Scott College of Business sets you up for success. The professors are always willing to help, and they have so many connections in the industry,” he says.

Taylor was unsure of which specific business major he wanted to pursue when he first began his Sycamore journey, but his professors helped navigate that important decision toward a major in finance. He adds, “They helped me figure out my interests. I could see their love for business, and I wanted to be like them. They gave me a taste of everything I could pursue.”

Taylor’s academic pursuits are not only about acquiring knowledge but also about applying it. His studies in economics allowed him to understand deeper connections between abstract theories and real-world problems. Looking ahead, Taylor is determined to make an impact.

“My goal is to use my understanding of finance and economics to make strategic decisions that drive sustainable success in the business world,” he says.

Jackson Taylor presenting a research project during his academic journey at Indiana State (photo/Jackson Taylor).

But his experience wasn’t limited to textbooks and classroom lectures. Since 2013, Taylor has been involved with 5 Tool Academy, a small, family-owned baseball and softball training facility in Muncie. Over the years, he has honed skills in business management, handling everything from customer relations and event planning to social media and private lesson instruction. Through his time at the academy, Taylor has been shaping his entrepreneurial spirit, learning firsthand how to grow and manage a business.

With his education and experience at Indiana State, Taylor is now ready to enter the professional world. After graduation, he will join the Orr Fellowship program. This two-year program offers recent college graduates like Taylor a chance to gain invaluable experience at a partnered company in Indianapolis, as well as to participate in professional development workshops and business pitch competitions.

“I’m extremely grateful to be an Orr Fellow because the recruitment process is very competitive. I’m getting to join a community of other Fellows who are going through the same things as I am. They’re all recent college grads, so we’re transitioning into this post-grad life together,” Taylor says.

Through the Orr Fellowship, Taylor will join Toolsey, a cloud-based software management platform that tracks sales performances for the home services industry. As a Business Development Representative, Taylor will be responsible for building relationships with home services companies and contractors across the Midwest. The Sycamore feels ready for this next journey, thanks to his hands-on coursework, research projects, and support from faculty at Indiana State.

“Indiana State gave me the opportunity to figure out what I want to do [in business]. I was able to see the world from a financial perspective, and that’ll help me when I start my career,” he says.

Now, Taylor looks back at his time at Indiana State with a deep sense of pride. The Terre Haute campus was a place where he had grown both personally and professionally, and those memories will last a lifetime.

“Indiana State is a great choice because it’s a close, intimate campus. You usually see someone you know or recognize wherever you go on campus,” he says. “The small class sizes are great because you get to know your professors. They know your name and they care about you. I feel more prepared for my career.”

As he steps into the future, it’s clear that Taylor is more than ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead. With the support of peers, professors, and the experiences he’s gained, Taylor is ready to go ALL IN – on his career, his dreams, and his next adventure.