This Spelman College Student is on a Mission to Transform Math Education
For Taryn Magby, attending UNCF-member institution Spelman College has allowed her to discover her purpose: serving others and creating meaningful change in education. And support from the Macy’s Mission Every One Scholarship, administered through UNCF, helped decrease the financial stress of attending college.
“The scholarship definitely helped me alleviate a lot of financial burden,” Magby shared. “Not only that, it made me think about why I’m in school and why I decided to go to school.”
Magby, a mathematics major with a minor in education, realized that her passion is rooted in helping others. Receiving the Macy’s scholarship helped free Magby up to focus on academics and consider how she can address challenges facing students once she enters the classroom.
Taryn Magby is on the Mahogany N Motion dance team. Photo from Taryn Magby.
Magby is continuing her family’s HBCU legacy. Both of her parents graduated from Tennessee State University.
When Magby first visited Spelman, she was struck by the number of students who looked like her and shared her ambition to succeed. At Spelman, she no longer felt like she was simply “a smart Black girl”—she found herself surrounded by other talented, driven Black women.
That sense of community and culture has become a defining part of Magby’s college experience. One of her most memorable moments was Spelbound, a welcoming event that introduces prospective students to the Spelman community. As a student, Magby had the opportunity to participate and witness incoming students discover the school she had come to love.
When she’s not studying or preparing to develop curricula of the future, Magby participates in Mahogany N Motion, the official dance team of UNCF-member institution Morehouse College House of Funk marching band, which is comprised of students from Spelman.
When she’s not studying or working to become a curricula developer of the future, Magby enjoys dance. Photo from Taryn Magby.
Magby encouraged prospective students to embrace every opportunity. “Don’t be afraid to try any and everything,” she said.
She is expected to graduate from Spelman in May 2029.
After graduating, Magby plans to attend graduate school and pursue mathematics education. While she is passionate about teaching, Magby doesn’t see herself spending her entire career in the classroom. Instead, she wants to begin her career as a teacher so she can experience challenges they face firsthand, identify where students are struggling and eventually help develop solutions. Her long-term goal is to develop curricula that addresses gaps in the education system.
Magby has a simple message for the donors who make opportunities like the Macy’s Mission Every One Scholarship possible: “thank you.” College is expensive, and not every student or family can afford to pay for education out of pocket. Donor support provides critical financial relief for students like Magby and ensures she will have a successful future.
UNCF is proud of our students and alumni who have received scholarships that help them continue their education and graduate. These scholarships are invaluable to students, and UNCF is accepting donations to support students like Taryn Magby in their academic endeavors.