Dear Colleagues:

I am opening today’s newsletter with the news that Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D., the William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean of the Hankamer School of Business, has been named President of Berry College, a private institution based in Georgia.

As dean at Baylor, Dr. Mazumder has brought renewed excitement to the School of Business with his energetic leadership and tireless pursuit of Hankamer alumni – further solidifying their connection to the University. During Dean Mazumder’s tenure, the Business School celebrated its 100-year anniversary and completed its AACSB reaccreditation review, two incredibly significant milestones in the life of the School.

In addition, Dean Mazumder has led in establishing a Peer Leader Program that matches upperclassmen with first-year Pre-Business students to help guide them through the challenges of college life, and he collaborated with the College of Arts & Sciences to launch a joint graduate program – a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA).

Dean Mazumder’s final day at Baylor will be May 31, 2025. Jason Carter, Ph.D., dean of the Robbins College for Health and Human Sciences, will lead the upcoming search process as we recruit nationally for a new leader of the Hankamer School of Business.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Dean Mazumder for his leadership at Baylor and for his service to our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Please join me in wishing him well in this next chapter of his career!

Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D.
Provost

Academic Affairs Announcements

Graduate School Dean Search Update

We are beginning the search for a new dean for our Graduate School as we prepare for the retirement of longstanding dean Dr. Larry Lyon. We will be considering both internal and external candidates for this important position as we continue our trajectory as a Christian R1 university. A committee of administrators and faculty members will review applications, conduct interviews, and make recommendations alongside our search partners at Russell Reynolds Associates.

We appreciate your input and support. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact members of the Graduate School dean search committee.

Readers Meet the Author: Dr. Kimberly Kellison

November 19, 12 p.m., Schumacher Flex Commons & Virtual 
Join the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost for “Readers Meet the Author” as we welcome Dr. Kimberly Kellison to share her most recent book, “Forging a Christian Order: South Carolina Baptists, Race, and Slavery, 1696-1860.”

Remind Students to Enroll in V9R Courses

Many Baylor students earn research credit via V9R classes, which provide one-on-one faculty-mentored learning opportunities. To acquire reliable data on undergraduate research, most departments have adopted the V9R course numbering system. If you are mentoring a student in research or other scholarly activity, please have them enroll in the appropriate V9R course.

Final Reminder: Faculty Retirement Planning Program

November 15, 2024, is the last date for faculty to sign up for the Faculty Retirement Planning Program before it concludes. Review the FAQ document for more details.

BaylorITS Presents Box Essentials Training

November 13 and 19, 2 p.m., Virtual 
BaylorITS is offering two virtual Box Essentials trainings in November. In these, you can learn how to leverage Box to make your workflow more efficient. Register for one of these Zoom Webinar-based sessions today!

Vice Provost’s Corner

Teaching Professor Procedures
University procedures for pursuing promotion to the new rank of teaching professor have been published on the Office of the Provost website. Also on this page are the unit guidelines for teaching professor promotion. The process begins in spring 2025 with the senior lecturer seeking approval to pursue promotion from the department, chair, and dean. If this request is approved, the senior lecturer’s application materials deadline is November 1, 2025.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training
November 25, December 13, and January 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., SLC 308
All faculty and staff are encouraged to receive MHFA training to better support our community’s mental wellness. MHFA introduces the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use concerns and trains you to support those in crisis. You can enroll directly through Ignite or contact Christiana Owusu-Ank. Lunch will be provided.

National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) Webinar: Avoiding Faculty Burnout
November 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Virtual
The Office of the Provost and the Faculty of Color Alliance (FOCA) are delighted to sponsor this opportunity for our faculty, postdocs, and graduate students to participate in an NCFDD webinar on faculty burnout. As an NCFDD member, Baylor provides access to NCFDD’s core curriculum, webinars, and courses for all faculty and can provide grants for additional programs. Learn more about the NCFDD and sign up for the webinar online.

International Education Week
November 11-15, Various locations
A weeklong celebration of activities showcasing Baylor’s support of international education, we are excited to share events across campus sponsored by registered student organizations, academic units, and departments.

State of Global Engagement 2024
November 13, 4 to 5 p.m., Armstrong Browning Library, Cox Reception Hall
Faculty and staff are invited to join Dr. Eduardo Contreras for a dessert reception and brief update on the CGE’s mission, strategic goals for Baylor In Deeds, and to share in an invitation for collaboration. All are welcome.

“Who Needs Who – Baylor or the World?: Rethinking the Role of Faith-Based Institutions in a Pluralistic World” with Dr. Simon Aihiokhai
November 14, 6 to 7 p.m., Fudge Family Auditorium, Hurd Welcome Center
Please join us for an evening event to celebrate International Education Week. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Simon Aihiokhai, an associate professor of religion at the University of Portland.

Research Support Survey - We Want Your Feedback
Be on the lookout for an email from OVPR@baylor.edu the week of November 11 containing a link to a Research Support Survey. This survey will give PIs (i.e., anyone who has submitted a proposal and/or managed an award) an opportunity to provide feedback on recent pre- and post-award support and share ideas on how we might improve support moving forward.

New Post-Award Leadership
Ms. Christi Whittredge became the interim assistant vice provost for research – post-award on November 1. Her experience at the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science makes her well-suited for this role. Ms. Cindy Todd, who has been in the interim role, will return to her full-time data and systems position.

Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) Position Opening: University House in North Village
Beginning fall 2025, a FIR position will be available for University House in North Village. Campus Living & Learning invites applications from female faculty for this position. To learn more, please visit the Office of the Provost’s website. The application deadline is January 24, 2025.

The Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL)

Be sure to take advantage of these upcoming opportunities from the ATL:

• November 15 and 22- ATL ShortCOURSE: Transparency in Teaching and Learning.
• December 19-20- Course Design Workshop.

Office of the Registrar

Please note these important announcements:

• The summer 2025 schedule will be published on November 18.
• For any curriculum matters, please be aware of the CIM December deadlines.
• As students prepare for Commencement, please remember Baylor’s Commencement Policy

Fall Grading Schedule Reminder
Due to a shortened number of business days following the end of the semester, a condensed grading schedule has been approved to ensure the certification of degrees before Christmas. Please be prepared for the fall 2024 grading schedule deadlines.

Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE)

New Progress Report Survey Tool
On September 24, a new progress report survey tool was sent to all faculty with student-athletes in their courses to streamline communication and enhance support. A second campaign was sent October 21-28. Additional surveys will be sent on November 18-25. Please ensure that you complete these surveys when they arrive.

Spotlight on the Academy

Honors College

Phi Beta Kappa Members: Join Baylor’s Chapter
Are you a new Baylor faculty or staff member and a Phi Beta Kappa member? We’re looking for members to actively engage in our campus chapter. Complete this formto self-identify and help us strengthen our involvement locally and nationally.

Baylor Law School

Baylor Law School Hosts McLennan County Adoption Day
November 22, 1 to 5 p.m., Sheila & Walter Umphrey Law Center
Baylor Law School invites you to celebrate families finalizing their adoptions in a magical “Family is Chosen” setting filled with castles, wands, and engaging children’s activities.

School of Music

Celebrate Christmas with the School of Music
You're invited to A Baylor Christmas in a new location this year: Waco Hall! School of Music ensembles will bring this beloved Christmas tradition to the stage on December 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and December 8 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Baylor Libraries, Museums, and the Press

New Production Studio & New Releases from the Press
The Libraries launched a state-of-the-art Academic Video Production Studio in Moody Library where faculty can create high-quality video content. Also, Baylor Press announced its 2024-2025 catalog, featuring releases by your colleagues and other authors.

Important Academic Deadlines

Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.

• November 11- Year 2 T-T colleague evaluation forms are due to chair.
• November 20- Year 2 T-T candidates' chair summary letters are due to dean.
• December 2- Deans' nominations for the Cornelia Marschall Smith Award and University Distinguished Professor are due to the vice provost for faculty affairs.
• December 2- Clinical associate professors submit letter of application for promotion to their department chair.
• December 2- All Year 6 lecturer review meetings and notebook reviews will be completed by this date.
• December 5- Each dean's letter for Year 2 T-T candidates is due to the Office of the Provost.
• December 6- Completed colleague evaluation forms are due to chair for Year 6 T-T candidates.

Previous issues of the Provost Newsletter can be accessed on the Office of the Provost website.