Professor, administrator are JMU ‘Game Changers’

Bobby Vaziri, a professor of computer information systems and business in the College of Business (COB), and Amy Taylor, executive director of the Young Children's Program in the College of Education (COE), were recognized as “Game Changers” on Nov. 22, during the JMU football game against Washington State. 

JMU Athletics created the “Game Changer” award to honor faculty and staff for their outstanding work benefiting the university and Athletics.  

"Vaziri has been a game changer in and out of the classroom," said his nominator, Michael Busing, dean of the COB. "His math preparation workshops, twice per semester, prepare students for success in COB 291. Bobby also organized Music for the Mind, a mental health awareness benefit concert in March 2024. This year he volunteered as a workshop instructor for the COB summer bridge program, Business Bound."  

Mark L'Esperance, COE dean, said Taylor, "has been instrumental in the opening of the new state-of-the-art child development center located in Memorial Hall. Amy's dedication to creating a model of high-quality child development for JMU and the community of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is the epitome of a game changer."  

JMU Athletics recognizes “Game Changer” honorees at home football games throughout the season. 

Previous honorees this season were University Studies professor Phil Frana; computer science professor Chris Mayfield; physics and astronomy administrative assistant Jennifer Baltazar; School of Media Arts and Design professor Roger Soenksen; College of Visual and Performing Arts administrative assistant Lina Akopov; and department of kinesiology equipment and facility manager Kent Wise.