Defining Success Through Values

Amanda Minix
August 13, 2025

“I want to use my education to uplift others. It’s about making my corner of the world better, no matter which direction my career path takes me.” – Jaeya Taxali ’26

Jaeya Taxali ’26 credits a course — Sociology of Conflict — with helping her realize the importance of understanding the ways societies interact, “especially in the face of inequality and change.”

At Washington and Lee University, Taxali, a business administration and sociology and anthropology double major with a minor in poverty and human capability studies, is able to pursue a blend of academic interests and engage in activities geared toward her goal of effecting positive change.

“I want to use my education to uplift others,” she said. “It’s about making my corner of the world better, no matter which direction my career path takes me.”

On the cusp of her senior year at Washington and Lee University, Taxali is spending her summer interning at United Airlines in airport operations at Dulles International Airport to gain exposure to logistics and customer experience in a fast-paced global industry. In her role, she analyzes operational performance, develops strategic plans and supports process improvement initiatives.

At W&L, she serves as the incoming executive director of Washington and Lee’s Student Consulting Program, a student-led organization that provides pro bono consulting services to businesses and nonprofit community organizations. In addition to her leadership role with Student Consulting, Taxali performs with the University Singers, is a hearing advisor and a member of the South Asian Student Association. As a Johnson Scholar, she appreciates the academic freedom it has granted her to travel and participate in a variety of internships.

“Being part of the Johnson community means surrounding myself with students who are motivated, curious and supportive,” she said. “The Johnson Scholarship has given me opportunities that would have been impossible otherwise. It allowed me to study abroad three times — in Denmark, Nepal and, most recently, at Oxford. After my first year, I completed a Shepherd internship in New Mexico, working in both the health care and broadband policy spaces. These immersive experiences have shaped not only my academic path but my sense of purpose and global awareness.”

After graduation, Taxali plans to pursue an opportunity to blend business strategy, socioeconomic impact and development. To Taxali, leading a life of consequence isn’t about glory: “It means pursuing purpose over prestige and making decisions that reflect values like justice, equity and impact,” she said.