Dean Singletary to Return to Garland School Faculty

Baylor Faculty and Staff:

Earlier this week, Jon Singletary, Ph.D., Dean of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, informed me of his decision to step down from his leadership role of the School, effective October 15, 2025. As many of you are aware, these are incredibly difficult times for professionals in the field of social work, and Jon felt the need to step away to take better care of himself, as well as to dedicate more time to his family.

Following a sabbatical, Jon intends to return to the faculty and focus on interdisciplinary research and approaches to tackling the growing crisis of mental health in our country. Nearly one-quarter of Americans report issues of mental health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the numbers are even higher for youth and young adults. Jon has a huge heart for people in need, and this transition will allow him to have a more direct role in working with and serving others.

I have asked Luci Ramos Hoppe, Ed.D., clinical associate professor and the undergraduate social work program director, to lead the Garland School during this interim period. Dr. Ramos Hoppe received her doctorate in higher education from Boston College and holds a B.A. in Spanish and Social Work and a M.S.W. from Baylor. She has been at the University since 2009 and knows the institution well.

Jon was named Dean of the Garland School in May 2016, after serving for a year as Interim Dean. He succeeded the School’s founding dean and namesake, Diana R. Garland, who passed away in September 2015 following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jon joined the School of Social Work faculty in 2003, serving the School as associate dean for graduate studies (2014-15), associate dean for baccalaureate studies (2011-14), director of the Baylor Center for Family and Community Ministries (2005-11), which launched the Texas Hunger Initiative and the Strengthening Congregational Community Ministries Project, as well as earning rank as a full professor. He has held The Diana R. Garland Endowed Chair in Child and Family Studies since 2010, conducting research on community, family and congregational life.

During his tenure as Dean, Jon built on the legacy of Diana Garland with the School consistently ranking among the top 25% of social work graduate programs in the nation. He also led his unit’s strategic planning for the Illuminate and Baylor in Deeds strategic plans. In addition, he took a leadership role in the School’s fundraising in support of the University’s Give Light Campaign, focusing on raising funds for endowed scholarships, endowed faculty positions and programmatic support to broaden and deepen academic opportunities and community outreach. One of his signature achievements has been the development of the Global Missions Leadership Scholars Program, a direct tie to Baylor’s motto of Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo.

Before coming to Baylor, Jon was pastor of Richmond Mennonite Fellowship in Virginia and also worked as a community organizer for an agency providing healthcare to people who were homeless and for a Catholic community settlement house. He earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University, an M.Div. from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, an M.S.W. from VCU and his B.A. in speech communication from Baylor.

I plan to announce a national search for Jon’s successor in late spring 2026. Please join me in thanking Jon for his dedicated leadership of the Garland School over the past nine-plus years, as well as for his unrelenting service to those in need.

Sincerely,

Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D.
Provost