Megan Taylor

Quick Summary

Birthplace: Chillicothe, Missouri — Graduated May 2004

Undergraduate: B.S. Geography, Broadcasting minor — Graduated December 2006 (cum laude)

Graduate: M.S. Geosciences, Broadcast Meteorology concentration — Graduated 2009 (cum laude)

Relevant Experience:

Teaching Assistant: Northwest Missouri State University (January 2005 - December 2006)
Graduate Assistant: Mississippi State University (August 2007 - May 2009)
Meteorologist & Fill-In Reporter: KQTV (October 2009 - March 2010)
Meteorologist: KEZI & KOHD (March 2010 - December 2011)
Research Associate: University of Oklahoma’s Cooperative Institute (January 2012 - May 2018)
Adjunct Instructor (Geology, Astronomy): Liberty University (May 2013 - May 2018)
Physical Scientist/Master Instructor: U.S. National Weather Service (May 2018 - present)

The Full Story

A journey with two paths

From an early age, I lived in both the artistic and the scientific worlds. I joined every opportunity to be on stage, whether singing, acting, or dancing. However, after seeing the hit movie, Twister, in 1996, I started observing thunderstorms with my dad and developed a deep passion for weather. I wanted to understand nature’s power and help others do the same. I just didn’t know how to bridge these competing worlds that held my favorite passions.

By high school, I was competing in science fairs (including a 4th-place finish at the International Science Fair) and exploring every creative outlet I could find. I didn’t know it yet, but I was already learning how to translate complex ideas into engaging stories.

Where science and performance meet

At Northwest Missouri State University, I discovered meteorology as the perfect balance of both passions. I earned my bachelor’s in Geography with a broadcast minor, then my master’s in Geoscience from Mississippi State University — one of the nation’s top programs for broadcast meteorology.

Those years shaped how I approach communication: transforming technical details into clear, actionable information that empowers people make informed decisions.

Promoting science on air

Breaking into television took persistence (and more than a few rejection letters), but I eventually landed my first meteorologist role in my hometown of St. Joseph, Missouri. From there, I joined KEZI in Oregon, where I spent several years forecasting, reporting, and learning how to tell stories that made science feel approachable and relevant.

I loved connecting with the public and building trust during severe weather events, but the relentless pace of broadcasting soon made me realize that what I truly loved wasn't just being on camera. I loved helping people understand science.

Translating science behind the scenes

That realization led me to the National Weather Service Training Center (NWSTC) in Kansas City, where I began helping design and deliver training to prepare forecasters and scientists to better service their communities.

In late 2012, I was asked to fill in as a media training instructor for a decision support course. What began as a one-time favor became a career defining moment. Teaching communication to scientists felt like the perfect intersection of my skills — science, storytelling, and service.

Building a national training program

Over the next few years, I helped transform that single course into a national training program, leading major portions of its redesign and developing a blended curriculum that combined eLearning with hands-on simulation. Working on the initial course, called the IDSS Deployment Boot Camp, and its corresponding curriculum helped me grow into my next role — Master Instructor — in 2018.

Communicating for impact

My first day as a federal employee set the tone for everything that followed: I was asked to produce a segment and appear as a special guest in NOAA’s live ribbon-cutting broadcast for its new studio in Silver Spring, Maryland. Since then, I’ve combined my technical background and communication expertise to train and mentor professionals across the National Weather Service.

Today, my work centers on helping teams translate complex science into clear, confident communication — through national training programs and media and public speaking coaching.

The next chapter

After more than a decade in public service, I’m ready for the next challenge — formally leading teams, shaping strategy, and continuing to connect science, learning, and communication in innovative ways. I’m proud of the impact I’ve made within the federal system, but I’m equally excited to bring those lessons, values, and leadership skills into a new environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

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