Dr. Herman M. Taylor, a 1964 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University (formerly Mississippi Vocational College), has dedicated his life to education, military service, dentistry, and civic engagement.
A native of Shannon, Mississippi, Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at MVSU before pursuing his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loyola School of Dentistry in 1976. His early career began in education, teaching science at Sims High School in Nettleton, Mississippi.
In 1965, Taylor was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a sergeant in Korea for 13 months. During his military tenure, he also worked as a GED instructor for the University of Maryland and later taught mathematics at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. In addition to his educational contributions, he assisted with funeral details for fallen soldiers.
Following his military service, Taylor worked as a research chemist for Armour-Dial Corporation until 1970. His passion for education led him back to the classroom, where he served as a chemistry lab instructor at Malcolm X Junior College in Chicago from 1970 to 1974. He later became the director of dentistry at the Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center from 1974 to 1978.
In 1976, Taylor opened his private dental practice in Chicago, where he provided care for 35 years until his retirement in 2011. While running his practice, he also performed dental surgeries at Woodlawn and South Shore hospitals.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Taylor has been a lifelong advocate for education and community development. A lifetime member of the MVSU National Alumni Association, he founded the MVSU Chicago Alumni Chapter in 1973 and served as its president twice. Under his leadership, the chapter was recognized twice as Alumni Chapter of the Year. He also served as regional alumni vice president from 1974 to 1989.
His commitment to mentoring and community service is evident in his work with various organizations, including serving as a mentor for male students at Chicago Vocational High School from 1980 to 1995. He also co-founded the Community Mental Health Council in 1981 and served as treasurer of the Tupelo-Lee County NAACP from 2015 to 2020.
Taylor’s civic involvement extended to coaching South Shore Little League Baseball from 1970 to 1973, serving on the Board of Operations Push Alliance for Black Colleges in 1972-1973, and holding the role of parliamentarian for the National Student Dental Association from 1974 to 1976. He was recognized as an Outstanding Young Man of America from 1973 to 1975.
Now retired, Taylor’s legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and professional excellence.