Dr. Elizabeth Palacios is no stranger to being first, and she has never hesitated to lead the way. A first-generation college student, one of the few Latina professors in Baylor’s School of Education during her 10-year tenure, and the first faculty member appointed special assistant to the president on diversity, Palacios has consistently broken barriers and shaped new paths. Across more than 40 years in higher education, she has inspired generations of students and young professionals of color while working tirelessly to foster a more inclusive and equitable Baylor community.
Originally from San Antonio, Palacios received both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in student services and professional counseling at Baylor. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in school psychology at the University of Texas. She and her late husband met at Baylor in 1977 and were married in 1979. The couple spent 42 years together and shared two sons, a daughter, and nine grandchildren. The two of them were leaders in the community and, throughout their time as educators, both taught, mentored, and guided students both in and outside of the classroom.
During Palacios’s undergraduate years at Baylor, she struggled to find a sense of belonging. As one of the few Hispanic students at a time when the minority student enrollment was only 1-2 percent, she felt no one understood the unique challenges she faced. Palacios channeled those experiences and used them to ignite her passion for championing campus belonging, making Baylor a more inviting place for students of all backgrounds.
Working at Baylor, Palacios continually asked how the University could better serve its minority students. She joined the staff in 1981 and helped develop the first graduate minority recruitment scholarship and program. She later moved to the Division of Student Life, creating mentorship programs between local high school and Baylor students, before joining the School of Education faculty in 2002.
In 2006, she was named dean for student development in the Division of Student Life. Then, in 2016, Palacios served as the first special assistant to the president on diversity until 2019. In 2021, she was appointed as the special assistant to the vice president for student life for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Palacios was driven by genuine passion and care for working with college students, and consistently helped students not only feel they belonged at Baylor but also that the University was home.
In addition to all her work at Baylor, Palacios has authored numerous publications, served as president for the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, and was an inaugural faculty member for the NASPA Escaleras Leadership Institute for Hispanic Student Affairs professionals. She was elected to McLennan Community College’s Board of Trustees in 2019. Although she retired from Baylor in May 2022 to spend more time with her grandchildren, Palacios continues to counsel, speak, and consult.
When Palacios began her journey at Baylor, the minority enrollment was at just 1 percent. That percentage has only increased thanks to the important work Palacios advocated for during her many years spent at Baylor. Her efforts helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive campus community that continues to benefit students today.
Read about the complete 2026 class of Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony honorees in a special edition of Baylor Line Magazine.
