My name is Taylor Doucet, and I am the Director of Communication at NAS Recovery Solutions. My journey has been one of transformation—from a destructive lifestyle to one of purpose and service.
At 19 years old, I was sentenced to 28 years in prison for attempted murder. I had just graduated high school a few months prior and soon found myself lost in a system that initially only reinforced my poor choices. For years, I continued down the wrong path, until, around the age of 25, I realized I needed a change.
While incarcerated at Sterling Correctional Facility, I enrolled in the CU Denver Prison Education Program, where I earned my Certificate in Strategic Communication. This academic opportunity was pivotal in shaping the direction of my future. It equipped me with the tools to communicate effectively and professionally, which became the foundation for my career today. Meeting professors like Benjamin Boyce and Meghan Cosgrove helped me see the value of education and how it could open doors I never thought possible. Their mentorship, along with the guidance of Stephen Hartnett, who played an instrumental role in organizing the program, gave me the support I needed to succeed.
The Strategic Communication program at CU Denver didn’t just teach me about communication; it helped me realize my potential and gave me the credentials necessary to step into a leadership role. I was able to land my current position as Director of Communication at NAS Recovery Solutions—a role that allows me to work alongside a dedicated team committed to transforming lives.
Today, I focus on empowering others through the same belief in change and growth that helped me find my way. My journey isn’t over, but I’m proud to be a success story for CU Denver and to contribute to the incredible work being done at NAS Recovery Solutions. Each day, I’m reminded that transformation is possible, and I am grateful to be a part of that process for others.