Baylor Director Honored for Work in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Kristen Padilla was recognized with the Texas Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ 2026 Helen G. FitzSimmons Leadership Award, as reported in a Baylor Press Release. The award highlights Padilla’s work at the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, where she oversees clinical, educational, and community programs.
Padilla joined the Center in 2014 and has since developed support programs for many families throughout Texas. As board chair of Waco Family Medicine, she assists with providing affordable healthcare to disabled individuals and families throughout Central Texas. She also chairs the Waco Committee for People with Disabilities.
Big 12 Play Begins
The Bears’ first Big 12 matchup of the season against the Colorado Buffaloes takes place this morning at McLane Stadium. Junior quarterback Nate Bennett filled the gap for the past two games, relieving quarterback recruit DJ Lagway after a week-one injury during Baylor’s game against Auburn. With a combined 567 passing yards, Bennett has led the Bears to a two-week winning streak heading into conference play.
Professor Receives Presidential Award
Dr. Eric Robinson, associate professor of educational psychology, won the 2026 Presidential Award from the National Association of School Psychologists, as reported by KCEN. The Moody School of Education professor was the inaugural director of the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing (formerly the Baylor University Center for Developmental Disabilities).
Dr. Robinson received this honor at the organization’s annual convention earlier in the year. “Dr. Robinson has provided exceptional and visionary leadership to the NASP Program Accreditation Board over many years,” said Dr. Eric Rossen, executive director of the NASP, to KCEN.
