Dear Colleagues,

Happy (belated) Fourth of July! As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, individuals and institutions across the country are preparing to mark this historic milestone in meaningful and memorable ways--including right here at Baylor.

“America 250 at Baylor” is a year-long celebration that promotes research presentations, exhibitions, artistic projects, and various special educational events, engaging the academic community to reflect on the significance of America's 250th anniversary.

The “America 250 at Baylor” Committee has been established by my office to support and enhance these unique scholarly activities during the 2025-2026 academic year. This interdisciplinary committee will review, approve, and promote a diverse range of public academic events that explore the evolving narrative of the United States. The committee includes:

• Julie deGraffenried, Co-Chair (College of Arts & Sciences)
• Jeff Pirtle, Co-Chair (University Libraries, Museums, and the Press)
• DeAnna Toten Beard (Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs)
• Emma Sachsenmaier (Ph.D. student, School of Education)
• Patricia Wilson (School of Law)
• Carl Flynn, Ex Officio (University Libraries, Museums, and the Press; Information Technology Services)
• Torie Johnson, Ex Officio (University Marketing & Communications)

We’ll be sharing more details and opportunities to get involved in the coming days. In the meantime, I invite you to visit Baylor’s “America 250” page to learn more about how you can participate in this important celebration with the Baylor community.

Warm regards,

Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D.
Provost

Academic Affairs Announcements

Administrative Skills Advancement Program (ASAP)

The Office of the Provost invites you to join us for a series of professional development opportunities geared towards administrative professionals in Academic Affairs (including, but not limited to, office managers, dean's assistants, administrative associates, coordinators, and event managers). Our next event on July 23 will feature Jon Allen and Micah Lamb sharing about ITS and AI. Learn more and sign up by visiting the ASAP website.

Academic Convocation

August 22, 10:30 a.m., Ferrell Center 
We look forward to our Academic Convocation, marking the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year, where the featured speaker will be Dr. Stephen Sloan. All faculty are encouraged to attend. Convocation will be sensitive to inclusivity and include transcription for the hearing impaired, and slides will be accessible for the visually impaired.

To participate in the procession, please bring your academic regalia and gather in the Stone Room at the Ferrell Center by 10 a.m. on Friday in order to line up for the entrance.

Vice Provost’s Corner

Editor’s Note: We are delighted to welcome Dr. Coretta Pittman as our new vice provost for community engagement and belonging. Dr. Pittman began her tenure with the Office of the Provost on July 1.

A Welcome Message from the New Vice Provost

It is with deep humility, gratitude, and a strong sense of purpose that I begin my journey as Vice Provost for Community Engagement and Belonging. As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, I want you to know that I am here to listen, collaborate, and learn how best to serve you—and the broader Waco community.

As you see me around campus in the coming months, it might be useful to know something about my background. I was raised in a small nuclear family. I am the daughter of Mr. Dwight B. Springfield and Mrs. Helen T. Pittman-Springfield. I have a sister and two nephews. Each of my parents was born into a large family, which means I grew up with thirty first-cousin relatives! My large extended family taught me a great deal about community and belonging. For all of us to thrive as family units that are part of a collective whole, we had to respect and honor the dignity of the individual members of our families.

Remembering my roots but also looking forward, I hope to take the lessons I learned living with and among different personalities and perspectives as I serve the varied faculty, students, and staff who comprise Baylor University as well as Waco more broadly. I invite you to join me in this shared journey of growth, connection, and belonging.

Required Search Training: Conducting the Search
This training is mandatory for faculty search leaders (deans, dean’s assistants, department chairs, and search committee chairs) for 2025-2026 faculty searches. Training will cover best practices, legal considerations, and the interview process. Those who attended the College of Arts & Sciences training on May 20 are exempt. Complete our online form to sign up for a training date. Questions? Please contact Amber Kivlighn.

GPE Incubator Fund 
The Graduate Professional Education (GPE) Incubator Fund is designed to foster the creation of innovative, in-demand online and hybrid graduate programs and certificates that align with Baylor University's strategic objectives. The next Request for Proposals (RFP) opens on September 15.

We encourage you to utilize the summer months for brainstorming, collaboration, and developing compelling new program proposals. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the future of professional education at Baylor. The GPE Team is available to provide support and guidance throughout your proposal development process.

Summer Course Evaluations 
Summer II and Full evaluations are open August 14-16. Instructor reports open for Minimester, Summer I, Summer II, and Full Summer on August 20. FAQs for instructions can be found on our website. Thank you!

University Survey Policy Reminder 
Planning to send a survey to Baylor faculty, staff, or more than 100 students? Be sure to review the University’s Survey Policies and Procedures. To help manage survey volume and protect data quality, all qualifying surveys must be submitted for approval at least four weeks in advance through the Survey Request Form.

Please note: Surveys conducted strictly for academic research purposes (e.g., IRB-approved studies) are generally excluded from this policy. However, if your survey targets a broad campus audience or is focused on a sensitive topic, coordination with the Office of Institutional Research is still encouraged.

Questions or unsure if your survey qualifies? Contact the IR office for assistance.

Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL)

Teaching with AI Playground 
August 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Virtual via Zoom 
Join us to experiment with how generative AI can enhance your course design, lesson plans, feedback, and assignments while also helping students develop AI literacy. Sign up by visiting our website.

Paul L. Foster Success Center

Baylor Hosting National McNair Research Conference 
The McNair Scholars Program at Baylor University will host its eighth annual National McNair Research Conference on August 7-8. This year’s event will bring together over 200 attendees from across the country for student oral and poster presentations, professional development workshops, and a graduate school fair. Faculty are especially encouraged to attend student oral and poster presentation sessions. For a full schedule, visit the conference website.

Spotlight on the Academy

George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Parchman Lecture with Rev. Rowan Williams 
Truett Seminary will host the former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rev. Roman Williams, on October 28-29 for the Parchman Endowed Lectures. Learn more by visiting our event page!

Baylor Libraries

Online Faculty Institute (OFI) 
OFI seeks to build a sense of belonging and connectedness for our remote faculty. Additionally, OFI will focus on the foundations of high-impact online teaching by helping faculty build a practical skills toolbox. Learn more and apply to join the fall 2025 cohort by visiting our website!

Academic Units Deadlines Calendar

Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.

• July 15- Academic Professionals in promotion processes that require external letters submit preliminary materials through the electronic system and Promotion Committee chair sends letter requests through the electronic system

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