Kandace Taylor, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Office of Advancement
What is your background?
I spent more than 10 years at OSU-OKC in the marketing & communications department. In that role, I served as a project manager, managed social media and web content, and developed and monitored marketing campaigns. Prior to OSU-OKC, I was at The Dallas Morning News for a few years writing and editing for their former community-based publication, In that job, I got to do a lot of things such as produce videos, get out in the community and even interview a baker who created a life-sized wedding cake that looked like the bride! I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, and earned bachelor’s degrees in news-editorial journalism and broadcast journalism from Oklahoma State University.
Tell me how you first got involved at UCO.
Throughout the small world of higher ed, I enjoyed hearing about the wonderful reputation of Central from friends and colleagues. Also, every single one of my favorite students at OSU-OKC was so excited about their next step in their educational journey, which 95% of the time was to be UCO. When they would come back to visit, I could see a spark within them, and I couldn’t help but want to be a part of that.
What would you say your strongest beliefs are about your contribution to the university?
I love working in a field where our goal is helping others realize and fulfill their potential. Every single thing we do has the potential to impact someone – from a student who is on a path to bettering their future to a donor who has the potential to make a lifechanging impact. We’re all in this together and it truly takes a village. Central is a great one and I am so happy to be here!
What do you do when you are not working?
When I’m not working, my husband and I are chasing around our two sweet kiddos. You can find us at the Science Museum, dancing in the kitchen or playing board games. After all the chasing, you’ll most definitely find me on the couch watching TV (Disney+ is our favorite) or making some sort of dessert. I love quoting “Seinfeld” and introducing my children to different music (although they’re partial to “Frozen 2” songs and “Baby Shark”). We moved to Edmond a little less than two years ago, and I’m slowly but surely decorating our house. We also enjoy exploring our community!
Buddy Broncho made his first appearance in UCO's own newspaper The Vista. It was the October 3, 1932, issue where a Broncho appears wearing a UCO football uniform. He has appeared numerous times throughout the years from local Edmond papers in the 60's to state-wide papers in the 80's. The commissioning of the first ever live mascot appears in UCO's 1979 Bronze Book where Buddy Broncho made his first public appearance at Homecoming. Since that time, Buddy has been a fixture at UCO events and in the hearts of UCO students.