Dr. Dub Oliver, president of Union University
Baylor School of Education and the Department of Educational Leadership are hosting the eleventh annual Christian Higher Education Leadership Seminar on the Baylor campus May 14-17. Sponsored by the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities (IABCU), the event is geared to serve primarily senior leaders of faith-based colleges and universities, but the Seminar is open to all higher-education leaders and aspiring leaders.
Since the inaugural Seminar held at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2007, the program has provided leadership training opportunities for more than 250 leaders.
Originally designed to serve Texas Baptist colleges and universities, the Seminar has expanded its reach. With attendance up slightly this year, the Seminar is drawing participants from as far as the West Coast (California and Washington) and Massachusetts. About two dozen leaders are coming from universities and colleges whose affiliations are non-denominational, Baptist and other Christian denominations.
Program organizers hope to continue drawing more leaders while maintaining the Seminar’s intimate atmosphere that encourages a relaxed exchange of ideas about the challenges of higher education leadership.
Dr. Beck Taylor, president of Whitworth University
“The Seminar is designed to serve the unique needs of faith-based institutions,” said Dr. Rishi Sriram, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and director of the Seminar. “Mainstream leadership programs, although valuable, often do not address the mission-distinctive aspects of Christian higher education. The Seminar also builds camaraderie and valuable networking relationships among senior leaders at mission-driven institutions.”
Speakers at this year’s Seminar include university presidents, vice presidents, provosts, deans, associate deans, and academic scholars of higher education. Baylor graduates Dr. Dub Oliver, BSEd ’87, president of Union University, and Dr. Beck Taylor, BBA ’92, president of Whitworth University, along with Baylor Provost Dr. Gregory Jones, are among the speakers. Topics range from faculty development and academic leadership to building partnerships and legal issues.
For a full list of speakers, visit the website of the Christian Higher Education Leadership Seminar:
A higher education expert and scholar, Dr. Michael McLendon, Dean of the School of Education and Hale Endowed Professor of Educational Leadership, will also speak at this year’s Seminar.
“The School of Education is honored to host this gathering of eminent leaders,” McLendon said. “Past participants have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from experts and from the real-life experiences shared by notable leaders in Christian higher education. Each leader in attendance adds to the richness and value of the experience.”
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ABOUT BAYLOR SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Founded in 1919, Baylor School of Education ranks among the nation’s top 20 education schools located at private universities. The School’s 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, while graduate programs culminating in both the Ed.D. and Ph.D. prepare outstanding leaders, teachers and clinicians through an intentional blend of theory and practice.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 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 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.