by Elizabeth Pearson
Dr. Joshua Smith, assistant director of the Research and Writing Development Center (RWDC) for Baylor School of Education’s EdD in Learning and Organizational Change (EdD-LOC) and associate graduate faculty member, was named one of the seven recipients of the Baylor 2025 Outstanding Staff Award. The EdD’s Research and Writing Development Center offers EdD-LOC students research and writing support as they compose dissertations, conference presentations, publications, and grant applications.
The award was presented by Baylor University President, Dr. Linda Livingstone, at the annual Staff Awards Ceremony on April 29. The prestigious university-wide honor recognizes Smith’s extraordinary contributions to the university’s academic mission and his unwavering dedication to student success.
Recipients of the award were selected from a competitive pool of employees who received Baylor PLUS Salutes over the course of the past year, demonstrating outstanding achievement, alignment with Baylor’s mission, and a spirit of dedication to others.
Smith has become a cornerstone of the nationally recognized EdD-LOC program, where his leadership, mentorship, and innovation have profoundly shaped the experiences of both students and faculty. Since he joined the RWDC in 2020, Smith has helped equip EdD students with the research and writing skills needed to produce a research dissertation at an R1 university while making an immediate practical impact in their professional practices.
“As assistant director, Joshua has not only mentored 376 doctoral student writers and served on 73 dissertation defense committees, but also been instrumental in creating our program’s quality control systems and standards,” said Dr. Nick Werse, senior director of operations for the EdD-LOC, in his nomination of Smith.
Colleagues and nominators describe Smith as a detail-oriented, thoughtful, and collaborative professional whose feedback consistently elevates the quality of student research.
“His exceptional work ethic, integrity, and positive demeanor are evident in every task he takes on,” said Dr. Ryann Shelton, lecturer and faculty advisor for the EdD-LOC program.
Smith’s 2025 Outstanding Staff Award is a testament to the transformative impact of his work within Baylor University and the broader educational community. His commitment to academic excellence, student mentorship, and program innovation continues to elevate the EdD-LOC program and inspire those around him.
The SOE Online Learning team at the award ceremony. Back row, from left: Dr. Nick Werse, Dr. Joshua Smith, Bryce Brown. Front row, from left: Elizabeth Pearson, Dr. Regan Postma-Montaño, Mary Sage.
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ABOUT BAYLOR SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
For more than 100 years, the School of Education has advanced Baylor’s mission across the globe while preparing students for a range of careers focused on education, leadership, and human development. With more than 65 full-time faculty members, the school’s growing research portfolio complements its long-standing commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring. Baylor’s undergraduate program in teacher education has earned national distinction for innovative partnerships with local schools that provide future teachers deep clinical preparation. Likewise, the School of Education’s graduate programs have attained national recognition for their exemplary preparation of research scholars, educational leaders, innovators, and clinicians. Visit the School of Education website to learn more.
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.