Provost Newsletter - May 2026
Dear Colleagues,
I have been genuinely overwhelmed by your kind and thoughtful messages as I prepare to return to the faculty at the end of this summer. Thank you for your wonderful partnership these past seven years and for your continued commitment to Baylor’s mission.
As we arrive at the close of a demanding semester, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for the extraordinary effort you have shown in guiding our students to the finish line, especially in light of the nationwide Canvas disruptions. Your flexibility in adapting plans, revising timelines, and finding creative solutions ensured continuity at a moment when it mattered most. You demonstrated, once again, that learning is sustained not by systems alone but by the dedication and care of those who teach, support, and mentor our students every day.
I am equally appreciative of the practicality and good judgment you brought to these challenges during an already busy and complex time of year. You balanced academic integrity with compassion, maintaining standards while recognizing the real obstacles students faced. That thoughtful approach reflects the very best of our academic community.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your resilience, professionalism, and care for our students. Have a wonderful summer.
Warm regards,
Nancy Brickhouse
Academic Affairs Announcements
Upcoming Events
- Summer Commencement- August 15, Ferrell Center
- New Faculty Orientation- August 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and August 18, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., BRIC
- Faculty Senate Retreat- August 21, 1 to 4:30 p.m., BRIC 3160
2025-2026 Promotions
We congratulate all of those who received promotions for the upcoming academic year. A complete list of all faculty promotions is available online. For more information on promotions, please see Baylor University personnel policies 702, 704, 716, 718, and 719.
Academic Leadership Seminar
The Academic Leadership Seminar, which is mandatory for deans, associate deans, vice provosts, and department chairs, will be held on Monday, August 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Invitations will be issued via calendar invite later this summer. Questions? Contact the Office of the Provost.
Chair Leadership Retreat
The department chair leadership retreat for the upcoming academic year will take place on Friday, August 14, at the BRIC. Please be on the lookout for the calendar invitation from Adrienne Conradt.
Veterans of Baylor
Did you know Baylor has a student organization for veterans—the Veterans of Baylor Student Organization (VoB)? Together with the Military-Connected Faculty and Staff Association (MCFSA), we are proud to support our military veterans on campus.
Some student veterans are registered with the University to access resources, including parking. Baylor student veterans with a service‑connected disability may receive a permit allowing them to park in unassigned faculty/staff or visitor spaces. If you’re ever unsure about a vehicle parked in a faculty/staff area, please contact Parking Services at 254‑710‑7275, and they can verify permits.
Vice Provost’s Corner
Preparing for the Semi-Monthly Payroll Transition
As you know, Baylor will transition faculty from a monthly to a semi-monthly pay schedule beginning January 2027. An optional Ignite Journey is now available to help you understand the change and access resources as you prepare.
A required Ignite Journey with specific tasks and next steps will be released in fall 2026 to ensure everyone is fully prepared. For continued updates, visit the Semi-Monthly Payroll website or email SemiMonthlyPayroll@baylor.edu with any questions.
Mandatory Review Notifications
It is the practice of the Office of the Provost to notify faculty of upcoming mandatory review periods to ensure accurate faculty clock records. Faculty with upcoming reviews were notified on April 27 via email and an Ignite journey. Faculty are responsible for confirming their next review date or reporting any corrections. Information about RPT training and packet release dates for those with mandatory reviews in 2026-2027 can be found on the Office of the Provost webpage.
Required Search Training: Conducting the Search
This training is required for faculty search leaders (deans, dean’s assistants, department chairs, and search committee chairs) for 2026-2027 faculty searches. Training will cover best practices, legal considerations, and the interview process. Those attending the College of Arts & Sciences training on May 19 are exempt. Complete our online form to sign up for a training date. View all available sessions online. Questions? Please contact Amber Kivlighn.
Review, Promotion, & Tenure (RPT) Upcoming Training
Please visit the RPT webpage for information on upcoming training dates and details. Faculty with review, tenure, or promotion deadlines in the upcoming academic year should receive a calendar invitation to the relevant training sessions. If you believe you have been overlooked, please contact the Office of the Provost.
Outstanding Faculty 2025-2026
Twelve of our best Baylor faculty have been honored with 2025-2026 Outstanding Faculty Awards for teaching, scholarship, and contributions to the academic community. Congratulations!
Baylor Centennial Professors Named
Dr. Kelly Johnston, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, and Dr. Alexander (Alex) McNair, associate professor of Spanish, have been selected to receive the 2026 Baylor Centennial Professor Awards for summer research projects. Congratulations to these two faculty members on their awards!
Spring 2026 Grade Submission
BearWeb is now available for spring 2026 grade submission. Grades must be submitted according to the spring 2026 grading schedule. Detailed resources are available on the Office of the Registrar website. Grades not submitted by the deadline will be automatically assigned a grade of “MG” (Missing Grade) and, thus, require the faculty member to submit a grade change through BearWeb.
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Deciding to close a program or a method of delivery for a program (e.g., online)? Once you determine to stop admitting students to a program, that constitutes a program closure and requires SACSCOC approval of a teach-out plan. See the Substantive Change Policy on the Institutional Effectiveness webpage and contact ie@baylor.edu for more information.
Spotlight on the Academy
School of Music
Baylor Students Perform at Carnegie Hall
Baylor School of Music students, winners of the 2026 Semper Pro Musica Competition, will perform May 21 at Carnegie Hall and May 22 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. If you are in New York—or know someone who is—join us!
Baylor Libraries, Museums, and the Press
Americans & the Holocaust Ends May 20
On May 20, the "Americans and the Holocaust" exhibition on the first floor of Baylor's Jones Library will travel to its next destination. Learn the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans' responses to Nazism, war, and genocide.
Mayborn Museum Complex
Explore the New Cultural Crossroads Exhibit
Come and experience the spatial transformation at the Mayborn Museum and the new Cultural Crossroads exhibit that explores the many cultures and peoples who have shaped Texas and Central Texas over time. Open 10-5 Monday-Saturday and Sundays 1-5.
Baylor University Press
Black at Baylor: Vital Voices of the First Generation
Our latest release explores the stories of 13 of the first Black students to enroll at Baylor. Drawn from Baylor's Institute for Oral History, "Black at Baylor" offers glimpses into the era of integration. 20% off with code 17PROMO.
Academic Units Deadlines Calendar
Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.
- June 1- Academic Professionals seeking approval to apply for promotion to Associate Librarian and Librarian submit a letter to their dean.
Information regarding the transition to semi-monthly pay can be found on the Semi-Monthly Payroll website.
Previous issues of the Provost Newsletter can be accessed on the Office of the Provost website.