Baylor Connections

Whitney Jones

Baylor’s Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) is a newly formed center bridging a variety of resources to help students thrive. In this Baylor Connections, Whitney Jones, senior director of CASE, shares the center’s approach and the resources available for academics and engagement, and examines how these services fill needed gaps and help students find a sense of belonging and purpose.

Linda Plank

COVID-19 has further highlighted need for nurses who fill a critical care role in a public health crisis. Dr. Linda Plank is a 30-year nursing veteran and longtime educator who was named Dean of Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) this spring. In this Baylor Connections, Dr. Plank discusses the impact of the pandemic on nursing and nursing education, examines the growth of Baylor nursing and shares what makes LHSON distinct in higher education.

Douglas Henry

On the 700th anniversary of his death, Dante still resonates, providing timeless insight into the challenges people face and a guide to navigate those trials. In this Baylor Connections, Douglas Henry, Dean of the Honors College, shares why the Honors College is leading the world’s largest Dante reading group, called “100 Days of Dante,” and takes listeners inside the Honors College’s approach to transformative education.

President Livingstone

The start of a new semester heralds much to celebrate. In this Baylor Connections, President Linda A. Livingstone Ph.D., shares the excitement of a new year, and discusses a variety of important topics with the Baylor Family, including the University’s record incoming class, R1 research momentum and ongoing conference realignment developments.

Sinda Vanderpool

A lot goes into promoting student success. At Baylor, a coordinated campus effort provides resources and relationships to serve students and enhance their college experience. Sinda Vanderpool serves associate vice provost for academic enrollment management—Baylor’s chief student success officer. In this Baylor Connections, she shares practical and philosophical insights and examines programs that build engagement, resilience and retention.

Jason Cook

A new semester is here at Baylor University and with it comes opportunities to connect students to Baylor’s caring community, share in longstanding traditions together and tell the Baylor story. In this Baylor Connections, Jason Cook, vice president for marketing and communications and chief marketing officer, shares how the University communicates with Baylor Family members and friends both on and off campus and highlights the strength of the Baylor brand.

JaeHwan Kwon

If you’ve ever enjoyed a message or advertisement, but were unable to fully express exactly why it was appealing, then you can see the value of JaeHwan Kwon’s research. Kwon, associate professor of marketing in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, utilizes eye-tracking technology to determine attention and physiological responses to messages. In this Baylor Connections, he examines the role of psychology and physiology in uncovering clues to what draws and keeps our attention.

Sparky Matthews

Few professors have a resume quite like that of Dr. Sparky Matthews, clinical professor in Baylor’s Honors Program. Dr. Matthews is a retired Air Force flight surgeon who served as the first surgeon general of the United States Space Force. In this Baylor Connections, he shares how a Baylor mentor shaped his career journey and how returning to teach at his alma mater represents a personal mission.