Dear Colleagues,

As we close the semester, I’m encouraged by Baylor’s intentional approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a topic shaping our future as a Christian R1 research institution. Under the leadership of Dr. Gary Carini, vice provost for AI and institutional research, we view AI not merely as a technological challenge but as an opportunity to advance academic excellence and principled scholarship.

To that end, the AI Roundtable has been actively exploring the philosophical dimensions of AI, ensuring that our institutional adoption remains fully aligned with Baylor's core mission and values. This roundtable is comprised of faculty from the School of Education, the Honors College, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Hankamer School of Business, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the Law School, Robbins College, the Institute for Faith and Learning (IFL), and the Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL). This crucial work is further advanced by the IFL’s focus on AI & Ethics, fostering essential dialogue that anchors technological progress in a framework of moral responsibility and human flourishing.

On the practical front, the AI Working Group provides a collaborative forum for faculty, staff, and students to discuss implementation strategies, complemented by the ATL's focused efforts on AI integration in content delivery. The ATL has also led efforts to integrate AI into teaching and learning, including the successful launch of the 10:10:10 AI Microlearning series in November.

Looking ahead, Baylor’s commitment will be on full display at the Baylor Symposium on Faith and Culture 2026: Technology and the Human Person in the Age of AI in February. This event will convene global thought leaders to explore the responsible use of AI. All are welcome — free registration for Baylor faculty, staff, and students is available online through the IFL.

Warmly,

Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D.
Provost

Academic Affairs Announcements

Upcoming Events

• Research Doctorates Commencement- December 19, 5 p.m., Ferrell Center
• Commencement- December 20, 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Ferrell Center

Academic Affairs Administrators Search Updates

• Dean, Louise Herrington School of Nursing- Two candidate visits have been completed, with two more to go, ending on December 16.
• Dean, College of Arts & Sciences- The search committee for the College of Arts & Sciences Dean Search has begun campus interviews for finalists. These visits will conclude at the end of this week.
• Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education- We are reviewing all current candidates and have extended the deadline to January 1, 2026.

Vice Provost’s Corner

Faculty Activity Reporting (FAR) 
Virtual office hours are offered now through mid-January to help faculty use FAR and generate their annual reports. Vice Provost Toten Beard and Lara Strain, the FAR contact in the Office of the Provost, will be available to answer questions and offer one-on-one support. View office hours details by visiting the online listing. FAQs are now also listed on the FAR web page.

Mock Interviews 
Hosted by the Graduate School, mock interviews offer a simulated experience of a first-round job interview for faculty positions. Participants will receive a full hour of time with administrators, including a 40-minute mock interview, 20 minutes of feedback, and a recording of the session afterwards to review. Students can email Annie Roufs to indicate their interest and receive more information. Spots are limited. Please encourage your students to participate!

Two Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) Positions Opening: Texana and University Houses, North Village 
Beginning in fall 2026, two FIR positions will be available in Texana House and University House. Campus Living & Learning invites applications from female faculty who meet the qualifications for this position. To learn more, please visit the Office of the Provost’s website. The application deadline is Friday, January 23, 2026.

Office of the Registrar

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 2025 Grading Deadlines.

Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL)

Course Design Workshop 
December 18-19, 2025, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Creekmore Conference Room (Jones Library) & online via Zoom 
Join a cohort of Baylor instructors as we investigate and develop the best ways to foster environments for learning that align with learning objectives and motivate students. Participants will have time for course preparation with support from ATL staff. Register online.

10:10:10 
The ATL recently completed a new microlearning series, 10:10:10, which included 10 consecutive days of 10-minute sessions related to teaching and learning with AI. The series included nine speakers from across Baylor and one from Texas Tech, with 149 total attendees/participants over the two-week event. We plan to offer a similar experience in the spring 2026 semester. Anyone interested in presenting is encouraged to contact atl@baylor.edu.

Spotlight on the Academy

Law School

Baylor Law's 2026 People's Law School 
Save the Date! Baylor Law’s People’s Law School returns February 14, 2026. This free, half-day event empowers and educates the public with practical, easy-to-understand courses taught by legal experts. Details and registration coming soon!

University Libraries, Museums, and the Press

Apply Today: Oral History Faculty Research Fellows 
The Institute for Oral History invites applications for its 2026–2027 Faculty Research Fellows. Open to all fields. Fellows receive up to $2,500, training, equipment, and transcription services for interview-based research. Proposals are due Friday, January 30, 2026.

Academic Units Deadlines Calendar

Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.

• December 10- Acknowledgement or rebuttal of dean's letter for Year 2 Tenure-Track is due
• December 10- Last date for available evaluating faculty to submit their Colleague Evaluation Form for promotion
• December 15- Last date for the Promotion Committee Chair for promotion to Associate Librarian and Librarian to submit their promotion committee letter in the electronic system
• December 15- Last date to submit the chair letter for Senior Lecturer, Teaching Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Professor, Associate Professor with Tenure, and Professor with Tenure in the electronic system
• December 18- Last date to submit the dean letter for promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure

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