Gateway
Executive Search
Baylor University is a private, Christian R1 nationally-ranked liberal arts institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students. Baylor has an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching, scholarship, and interdisciplinary research that produces outstanding graduates. Alumni include missionaries and pastors, heads of Fortune 500 companies, governors of Texas, and professional athletes.
Located in Waco, Texas, Baylor University is the oldest college in Texas. With a population of 21,000 diverse students, Baylor is one of the top universities in the nation, having been named an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification in January 2022. Baylor is also on the honor roll of the “Great Colleges to Work For” from The Chronicle of Higher Education; Baylor offers competitive salaries and benefits while giving faculty and staff the chance to live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. The strategic plan, Illuminate, guides the University as it continues to live up to Baylor’s mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.
The ability and willingness of Baylor to adapt and change to achieve continual progress can be traced throughout its history. In 2021, Baylor released an independent historical report acknowledging past slave ownership and support for the Confederacy by R. E. B. Baylor and two founders. As part of its acknowledgment of the University’s history regarding slavery and racial injustice, the University strengthened its commitment to justice, equity, and creating a welcoming environment for all students.
The University’s Illuminate strategic plan will continue to help Baylor adapt and grow with the world around it, while strengthening its original mission and heritage.
One of the first educational institutions in the United States west of the Mississippi River, Baylor University is located on the banks of the Brazos River between Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin, Texas. The 1,000-acre Waco campus is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.
The city of Waco is located in a region filled with a rich history and a vibrant present. With a metro population of more than 245,000, the “Heart of Texas” has maintained its small town friendliness, with all the amenities of a metropolitan area.
Some little-known facts about Waco:
Baylor celebrates its distinctive place in higher education—where research, scholarship and faith guide the mind in understanding the complex diversity of God’s creation and prepare the whole person for service and leadership.
In the words of President Livingstone, “as a Christian research university, Baylor infuses the quest for solutions, at the highest levels, with the University’s distinct Christian voice and mission.” Baylor continues to hold firm to the conviction that the world needs a preeminent research university that is unambiguously Christian, where such a commitment does not imply a lack of scholarly inquiry, but rather requires scholarship and creative endeavors at the highest levels of quality to complement and inform its teaching and service.
The Vice Provost for Global Engagement is required to be a person of active Christian or Jewish faith.
President
Dr. Linda A. Livingstone is the 15th president of Baylor University. She previously served as dean and professor of management at The George Washington University School of Business, as dean and professor of management at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, and as a tenured faculty member and associate dean of graduate programs at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. President Livingstone is a scholar in organizational behavior, leadership, creativity, and university accreditation.
As Baylor’s leader, President Livingstone has become a strong voice for the role of faith-based institutions in American higher education. She has shepherded Baylor’s 2018-2022 strategic plan, Illuminate, and overseen Baylor’s accomplishment of R1 status as a doctoral university with very high research activity in 2021. Under her guidance, Baylor reached its $1.1 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign goal in February 2022; the Give Light campaign focused support on facilities, research, program initiatives, student scholarships, and faculty endowment.
A native of Perkins, Oklahoma, Dr. Livingstone played varsity basketball at Oklahoma State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and management, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in management and organizational behavior. Her husband, Brad, a high school history teacher, also played basketball at Oklahoma State. They have one daughter, Shelby, a current student at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
As Baylor’s chief academic officer, Dr. Brickhouse oversees the University’s 12 colleges and schools, research enterprise, University Libraries, and centers and institutes. Consistent with Baylor’s academic strategic plan, she has led the growth of graduate programs and elevated Baylor’s research and scholarship profile. She is a key supporter of Global Baylor: Addressing Challenges to Human Flourishing, the 2018 Quality Enhancement plan designed to strengthen and enhance global student learning through numerous academic initiatives aligned with the strategic plan.
Dr. Brickhouse previously served as provost at Saint Louis University (SLU), a Jesuit research university, in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to her appointment as SLU’s provost in 2015, she served in several senior leadership positions during 27 years at the University of Delaware. A tenured professor of education and a nationally recognized scholar, Dr. Brickhouse graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Baylor, and a master’s degree in chemistry and a doctorate in science education from Purdue University.
Enrollment at Baylor in the fall of 2021 was 20,626 students: 15,191 undergraduates and 5,435 graduate students. Thirty-six percent of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 64 percent of students live off campus. The university has a gender distribution of 40% male students and 60% female students.
Baylor enrollment includes students from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 100 foreign countries, and that diversity brings a variety of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs to the university community. Students are not required to embrace the Baptist tradition, and they encounter a variety of beliefs on campus. They are encouraged to broaden their understanding of the rich cultural diversity found throughout the world and reflected in the Baylor family.
Some Facts about Baylor:
In the 2021 “Best Colleges” rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Baylor was ranked tied for 76th best “national university” in the U.S., tied at 31st for “Best Undergraduate Teaching”, tied at 25th for “Most Innovative.” U.S. News & World Report has also ranked Baylor 17th in the country for undergraduate research and 15th for the First Year Experience Program.
Baylor’s curriculum includes 127 baccalaureate programs, 80 master’s programs, and 47 doctoral programs. Baylor is divided into twelve degree-granting academic units: the College of Arts & Sciences; the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work; the George W. Truett Theological Seminary; the Graduate School; the Hankamer School of Business; the Honors College; the Law School; the Louise Herrington School of Nursing; the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences; the School of Education; the School of Engineering & Computer Science; and the School of Music. Several Baylor graduate programs, including its law school, Hankamer School of Business, and programs in the sciences and education are nationally ranked.
Shaped by key input from Baylor faculty and administrators, the Strategic Plan Illuminate charts the course to impact the world in strategic areas of University strength. The strategic plan is built upon the foundation of Four Pillars, where Baylor will be a community recognized for its Unambiguously Christian Educational Environment; Transformational Undergraduate Education; Research and Scholarship Marked by Quality, Impact, and Visibility; and its Nationally Recognized Programs in Human Performance through the Arts and Athletics.
Baylor University is well positioned to continue its work in internationalization, for it has the key ingredients in place: leadership, energy, and support across the university. Faculty has indicated their strong support for international research and curricular innovation to support global engagement. In fact, in a recent survey, 380 faculty indicated interest in exploring international research in their disciplinary area. The senior international leader will continue to build upon these strong global engagement foundations with broad faculty support.
With the creation of the Vice Provost for Global Engagement position in 2014, and the global initiatives outlined in the Strategic Plan, the Quality Enhancement Plan Global Baylor: Addressing Challenges to Human Flourishing began to take shape. Baylor’s participation in the American Council on Education’s Internationalization Laboratory from 2020-2022 gave university leaders a comprehensive view of internationalization efforts across campus, and an understanding of how to build on the university’s strong foundations for global engagement. An extensive self-study of internationalization in six areas was conducted: leadership and structures; curriculum and co-curriculum; student mobility; faculty and staff support; international scholarship; and international partnerships. The Vice Provost for Global Engagement will integrate the ACE internationalization plan into a comprehensive strategy for global engagement at Baylor, relying on the staff and structure of the Center for Global Engagement to achieve its goals.
Baylor University has long embraced a global outlook and commitment as part of its core mission; in fact, the university has been hosting international students since the 1920’s. Today Baylor has more than 100 partnership agreements in more than 40 countries. Ten percent of Baylor undergraduates participate in study abroad (approximately 900 students) in 80 plus active Study Abroad Programs (35 faculty-led) or join one of the 40 global missions in 20 countries each year, and the university enrolls approximately 900 international undergraduate and graduate students annually.
Global Baylor consists of many exciting programs and initiatives that serve as models for expanding internationalization. The Center for Global Engagement oversees or collaborates with university offices to provide a diverse array of opportunities for students to engage globally beyond study abroad:
Thanks to cross-campus partnerships with the Office of Missions and Public Life and the Office of Engaged Learning, global opportunities for students include Baylor Missions, with more than 40 short-term discipline-specific mission trips in 20+ different locations throughout the year; International Fellowships & Awards, enabling record numbers of students to earn Fulbright, Mitchell, Boren and NSEP fellowships to study and do research abroad; and international service with the Peace Corps (Baylor ranked among the Peace Corps’ top volunteer-producing schools in 2020).
Baylor’s international activities truly reflect the goals outlined in Baylor’s Strategic Academic Plan
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
