Brockmole Starts Tenure
Dr. James R. Brockmole began his tenure as Dean of Baylor Univeristy’s College of Arts & Sciences on July 1st. He is the college’s 13th president since its creation in 1919 and succeeds Dr. Lee. C. Nordt, who will be taking over as the university’s interim provost on August 1st.
“I am honored to serve as dean of Baylor’s College of Arts and Sciences. I believe faith-based universities are well positioned to address the world’s biggest challenges by blending rigorous inquiry with a deep sense of moral purpose and a commitment to human flourishing. The focus is not only on how the world works, but also why the world matters,” Brockmole said, according to an article from the College of Arts & Sciences. “I am excited to join Baylor’s vibrant community to help advance its academic goals, distinctive Christian mission and vision for the future. I am especially looking forward to getting to know the faculty, staff and students as we work together to expand knowledge and serve the greater good locally, nationally and globally.”
BWA and Baylor Partnership
In 2025, Baylor and the Baptist World Alliance announced a new academic partnership during the 2025 Baptist World Congress. It is the first BWA program to exist at a Baptist university or seminary. The program will be housed in Truett Seminary.
Dr. Stephen M. Stookey was recently selected as the inaugural BWA Program Director. He takes on the role beginning in August.
“Last year, an educational partnership between Baylor University, a BWA Member Partner, and the BWA was announced and celebrated. Since then, we have been planning, preparing, and praying for the launch of the BWA Program at Baylor’s Truett Seminary,” said Dr. Todd Still, Dean of Truett Seminary, according to an article from Truett. “Chief among our priorities has been to identify an individual who can thoughtfully, skillfully, collaboratively, and faithfully lead this expansive educational enterprise. We believe that the LORD led us to Dr. Stephen M. Stookey and are deeply grateful that Stephen has agreed to accept this mantle of leadership.”
Baylor and the Bowery Mission
Each year, Baylor’s MBA students participate in the Baylor MBA leadership summit – a trip that provides networking opportunities, helps them build leadership skills, and exposes them to new perspectives and environments.
This year, students visited New York, where they partnered with The Bowery Mission – an organization dedicated to aiding individuals experiencing homelessness.
“At the end of the day, yes, we’re going into business to make money, but the things we do also impact the people around us,” said Alex Dorsey, an MBA student participating in the program, according to an article from Hankamer School of Buisness. “Seeing people spend their time serving others every day was humbling. It reminded me that leadership isn’t just about results, it’s about how you show up for your community and the impact you choose to make.”
Math Camp at the Mayborn
The Baylor Moody School of Education is hosting its 10th Mathematics for Early Learners Academy (MELA) throughout July. In partnership with local schools and hosted at the Mayborn Museum, the program is designed for students ages 4-6. It aims to establish a solid foundation in number skills before students enter kindergarten.
The program is led by founding director Dr. Sandi Cooper, who explains how research indicates early math skills are a better indicator of academic success than reading skills.
“MELA is all about developing number sense, which is much more than just counting,” Cooper said, according to a Baylor Press Release. “It’s helping children understand what numbers mean and how they relate to one another”
Aphasia Awareness
Important research surrounding aphasia, a language disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language centers, is being expanded at Baylor within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Researcher and associate professor Dr. Jungjun Park is helping lead the way.
Park is preparing two studies in his lab – the Baylor Adult Neurogenic Disorders and Aging Lab (BANDA). One study explores how a virtual reality-based immersive environment can support rehabilitation, and the other focuses on digital and group-based mental health interventions for caregivers.
Additionally, Park and a team of students plan to launch an aphasia support group this fall.
“Over time, we hope that this Baylor-based support group will stand as a clear example of rehabilitation education in action, where evidence-informed care, community engagement, and student learning are tightly integrated,” Park said, according to an article from the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. “In doing so, our students’ clinical experiences will extend beyond the classroom into real community contexts, representing a meaningful strengthening of our educational pedagogy and our commitment to service.”
Baylor Alumns to Join USC Thornton School of Music Staff
Baylor School of Music graduate Bille Bruley recently accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Vocal Arts at the #4 music school in the nation – the USC Thornton School of Music. Bruley has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others.
“I absolutely love helping young singers find their unique voice and artistry,” Bruley said, according to an article from the School of Music. “Each person gets to sound uniquely themselves, and that’s what makes you a completely unique artist.”
Examined Life Scholars
This summer, Baylor Honors College welcomed its first fully residential cohort of Examined Life Scholars (ELS). The residential program was made possible by a $30,000 grant from the Teagle Foundation.
The program brings rising high school seniors from Waco and Temple to Baylor for two weeks. During the residential experience, students become immersed in the Great Texts tradition and are mentored by Honors College Students, all while living in Penland Hall.
“The residential program allowed for our students to settle into the college experience more fully,” Associate Professor of Rhetoric in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core and Co-Director of ELS Dr. Samuel Perry said, according to an article from the Honors College. “The sense of confidence and independence was noticeable and showed through in our classroom discussions. Students also learned how important it is to be in control of their own schedules and how time management is a bigger part of everyday life in college.”
LHSON for Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief
On June 24, 2026, two tragic earthquakes struck northern Venezuela. For Andrea Alvarado, a Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) alumna, the impact is felt personally, as Venezuela is her home country.
In partnership with LHSON, Alvarado, her parents, and the Venezuelan Association in Austin are delivering supplies to Miami, Florida, where they will be shipped out to Venezuelan hospitals.
LHSON is donating supplies directly from its clinical simulations building. The school is also collecting donations, including medical supplies, medications, personal hygiene products, and baby items. The deadline to drop off donations is July 20th. The drop-off area is located in the lobby of LHSON at 333 N. Washington Avenue in Dallas.
