Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your dedication to our students, especially as you adapted quickly during the recent winter weather. I’m grateful for the spirit of care and resilience that continues to define our community.

At our Spring Faculty Meeting, we heard from President Livingstone and welcomed Doug McNamee, our new vice president and director of athletics, who shared his vision for strengthening athletics in partnership with the wider university. We also celebrated the transformational $30 million naming gift establishing the Moody School of Education — an investment that will significantly expand scholarships, research, and academic opportunities.

Jon Allen, our chief information officer and chief information security officer, also shared some updates on ITS governance. Drs. Pittman, Toten Beard, and Chambliss then joined me for a discussion surrounding academic freedom, teaching, and grants, where they shared the wisdom they have garnered over the past few months and some recommendations for the future.

We also celebrated the gains of the past year — the faculty awards, graduation rates, and fundraising benchmarks met. There is much to be excited about at Baylor.

Thank you for all you do to support our students and advance Baylor’s Christian mission. I remain deeply grateful for your work and look forward to the semester ahead.

With appreciation,

Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D.
Provost

P.S.- Thank you to everyone involved in Baylor earning the designation as a Top-10 producer of Fulbright U.S. students – we are now #1 in Texas!

Academic Affairs Announcements

Upcoming Events

• Readers Meet the Author: Beth Allison Barr- February 17, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Schumacher Flex Commons, Moody Memorial Library & Online
• Breakfast Honoring the Teaching and Research Contributions of Baylor Women Faculty- March 24, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Foster 250

Elizabeth Vardaman Faculty Awards 
The Elizabeth Vardaman Awards for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduates recognize faculty who go above and beyond in mentoring undergraduates in activities such as research, civic and global learning, and leadership development. Learn more about the award and nominate faculty colleagues on the Office of Engaged Learning website. Nominations are due no later than March 1.

Welcoming Dean Brockmole 
As noted in the announcement on January 14, we are delighted to welcome Dr. James (Jim) Brockmole as the incoming dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dean Brockmole will begin his role on July 1.

The 2026 Great Colleges to Work For Survey – Now Available Until March 31! 
Each year, Baylor faculty and staff have the opportunity to submit anonymous feedback on their workplace experience. Please refer to an email in your inbox from ModernThink with your personalized link to access this survey. Visit the HR website for more information.

Elizabeth Vardaman Faculty Awards 
The Elizabeth Vardaman Awards for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduates recognize faculty who go above and beyond in mentoring undergraduates in activities such as research, civic and global learning, and leadership development. Learn more about the award and nominate faculty colleagues on the Office of Engaged Learning website. Nominations are due no later than March 1.

Vice Provost’s Corner

Black History Month Panel Discussion 
February 25, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Schumacher Flex Commons, Moody Memorial Library 
Join us for the Black History Month Panel Discussion! We’re bringing together an incredible group of graduate students to explore the topic "Coming from Somewhere: Being Black, Diasporic, and Doing the Work," featuring panelists Stephen Adedara, Damilola Adekunle, Bernard Che Ngu, Paul Conteh, and Joshua Jonas.

Important: Reporting Faculty Retirements 
Please follow this process to report faculty retirements:

• Retiree notifies department chair (or equivalent).
• Chair notifies the unit business officer.
• Business officer submits a personnel action form (PAF).
• HCM specialist enters into Ignite/HCM.
• HR generates the official retiree list on March 1.

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring accurate reporting and timely recognition of retirees.

Faculty Seeking Third-Tier Promotions in 2026-2027 
For faculty seeking permission to pursue promotion during the 2026-2027 academic year to the rank of Teaching Professor, Clinical Professor, or Professor (tenured), the deadline for a request letter is February 16. This letter to the chair, or to the equivalent academic leader designated by the dean, describes in detail the activities and achievements that indicate a promotion application is appropriate at this time. Please note that the deadline for letters regarding promotion to Librarian is May 15. See the procedures for your faculty type on the Office of the Provost's website.

Payroll Reminder: Semi-Monthly Pay Begins January 2027 
Starting January 1, 2027, monthly-paid faculty and staff will transition to a semi-monthly pay schedule. This means paychecks will be issued twice a month. Bi-weekly paid staff are not affected. Visit the Baylor Semi-Monthly Payroll website for details, FAQs, and a pay calendar. More updates, resources, and information on required employee actions will be shared in the coming months!

Update on U.S. Immigration Policy and Baylor’s Global Community 
The U.S. Department of State recently announced a pause in the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of certain countries as part of a federal review of immigration procedures. It is important to note that this policy applies only to immigrant visas for permanent residence and does not affect nonimmigrant visas,including student, scholar, and employment-based visas (such as F-1, J-1, and H-1B).

As a result, this announcement does not impact Baylor’s current or prospective international students, scholars, or visiting faculty, who overwhelmingly hold nonimmigrant visa statuses. The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is closely monitoring developments and will communicate any updates that may affect our campus community. Faculty and staff with questions are encouraged to contact CGE for guidance and support.

Applications Now Open: Pro Mundo Institute in Ghana
The deadline for faculty to apply for the inaugural Pro Mundo Institute in Accra, Ghana, is February 15. This immersive program is designed to advance global engagement and promote faculty development. This unique opportunity fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and immersive cultural learning while supporting Baylor’s mission to prepare students for worldwide leadership. Participants will engage with local partners, explore innovative teaching strategies, and contribute to Baylor’s global vision. This initiative is funded by the Kong Family Endowed Fund and the Office of the Provost. Space is limited. Apply today and help shape the future of international education at Baylor.

Office of the Registrar

For all catalog and curriculum updates, please note the upcoming deadlines.

Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL)

30-Minute Mastery: Using AI to Streamline Rubrics in Canvas 
February 20, 12 to 12:30 p.m., Online 
Canvas rubrics don’t have to be a pain – learn more about how AI can streamline your process!

Seminar for Excellence in Teaching: Teaching Virtues in the Core Curriculum 
February 26, 2 to 3 p.m., Online
Recipients of the Core Curriculum Virtues Recognition Award will describe how they incorporated virtue development into their courses and encourage participants to imagine the role of virtues in their own teaching.

Spotlight on the Academy

Law School

Register Now for People’s Law School 
Register today for Baylor Law’s free People’s Law School on February 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Choose practical sessions on family law, wills, consumer rights, admissions, and more. Learn from experienced attorneys and leave with knowledge you can use.

School of Music

Jazz Concert in Honor of Black History Month 
Celebrate Black History Month with Baylor Jazz in a concert honoring the legacy of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ella Fitzgerald. Join us February 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Concert Hall.

Baylor Libraries

Welcome to the other side of the Winterpocalypse! 
We have two fellowship opportunities for you to explore: the Libraries’ Special Collection Teaching Fellowships (deadline February 9) and the Mayborn Museum’s Bryce C. Brown Fellowship (deadline March 20). Apply today!

Academic Units Deadlines Calendar

Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.

• February 16- Last date to submit the chair letter for promotion to Associate Professor without Tenure in the Law School
• February 16- Faculty seeking promotion to Teaching Professor, Clinical Professor, and Professor with tenure submit a letter to their chair requesting approval
• February 16- Last date to hold review meeting for Year 4 Tenure-Track, Year 2 Lecturers, Year 4 Lecturers, and Year 3 Clinical Assistant Professor
• February 16- Last date to submit chair recommendation for renewals for Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professor in the electronic system
• February 25- Last date for available evaluating faculty to submit their Colleague Evaluation Form for Year 4 Tenure-Track, Year 2 Lecturers, Year 4 Lecturers, and Year 3 Clinical Assistant Professor
• March 2- Last date to submit the dean letter for promotion to Associate Professor without tenure in the Law School
• March 2- Last date to submit dean recommendation for renewals for Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professor in the electronic system
• March 5- Last date to submit the chair letter for Year 4 Tenure-Track, Year 2 Lecturers, Year 4 Lecturers, and Year 3 Clinical Assistant Professor

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