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July 27, 2020
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Ryan Erck Named Baylor’s “Student Advocate of the Year” [07/27/2020]

Ryan ErckRyan Erck, Program Director of the Impact Living-Learning Center (LLC), received the Student Advocate of the Year Award from the Baylor Division of Student Life. Impact LLC is a residential learning community located in South Russell Hall and founded by the School of Education in 2015 in partnership with Campus Living and Learning. As a Baylor SOE staff member collaborating with Campus Living and Learning, Erck is responsible for the recruitment, marketing, admissions, and programming for Impact LLC.

According to the 2020 Baylor Student Life Staff Awards virtual ceremony, the Student Advocate Award recognizes “a staff or faculty member who works outside the Division of Student Life but who helps us significantly accomplish our work in students’ lives.” Erck received the award after his first year in Impact LLC.

“Each year, we identify those staff members who have served so well, above and beyond what they’ve been called to do,” said Dr. Kevin Jackson, Vice President for Baylor Student Life in announcing the award, noting that Erck was nominated with “glowing recommendations.” Continue Reading →

May 7, 2020
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Cece Lively Receives Baylor Outstanding Staff Award [05/07/2020]

Cece LivelyBaylor University honored the School of Education’s Cece Lively with an Outstanding Staff Award this spring. Lively is the Assistant Program Director for the EdD in Learning and Organizational Change, which is offered online by the SOE’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction and is the university’s largest graduate program. In that role, she coordinates and oversees program development and execution for almost 300 students and 25 faculty and staff. When the program reaches full capacity, it will serve more than 600.

Baylor’s announcement said, “Cece has proven to be an exceptional leader, innovative thinker, creative problem solver, student advocate, and collaborative colleague on campus. . . . The EdD students and faculty love working with Cece. She has a calm and caring demeanor and genuine concern for students.” Continue Reading →

August 21, 2019
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Impact LLC Welcomes New Program Director [08/21/2019]

Ryan W. Erck, new Program Director for Impact Living-Learning Center (LLC), wants to make sure that students in the LLC have the kind of community experience that he missed out on when he was a college freshman. Impact LLC, which is a partner of the School of Education, is located in South Russell Hall and is home to 240 Baylor students, both male and female.

Erck said, “Impact LLC creates cohesive spaces for students to have very meaningful interactions with faculty, staff and peers. Residential learning communities embody an experience that provides many campus amenities in one place. Impact LLC reflects the larger campus culture, but on a micro-scale — encompassing things like study areas, fitness spaces, technology areas and classrooms.”

As a college freshman, Erck chose to hold down a job while attending school and didn’t take advantage of a residential community, he said. He earned his BS in Leadership and Development and his MS in Educational Human Resource Development, both from Texas A&M University. Erck is now a doctoral candidate pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Studies and Leadership in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership. Despite these obvious accomplishments, Erck said that his chances for success would have been better if he had lived in an intentional community during his early college experience, and he suggests that students look for this kind of experience when exploring housing options during the college application process. Continue Reading →

August 8, 2018
by Baylor Instant Impact
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SOE Center for Christian Education Welcomes Executive Director [08/08/2018]

Dr. Matt Thomas joined the Baylor School of Education (SOE) on Aug. 1 as executive director of the SOE’s Center for Christian Education. Founded in 1985, the CCE is dedicated to advancing evidence-based approaches to educational improvement and values-driven leadership through a range of programming and resources.

SOE Interim Dean Dr. Terrill Saxon said the center will undergo an expansion as the result of a significant gift to the SOE from Lynda, BSEd ’79 (MA ’85 in education from Texas Wesleyan College), and Robert, BBA ’80, MPA ’81, Copple of Frisco, and this appointment is an important first step in realizing an ambitious agenda for the center’s future.

“Matt’s background in Christian education and his commitment to the training of strong Christian leaders make him a perfect fit for the expanded role of the SOE’s Center for Christian Education,” Saxon said. “His expertise will launch a new era for the center and help shape its future.”

Thomas comes to Baylor from a position in California, where he served as executive director of a national radio ministry broadcasting on more than 600 stations. For more than 20 years, he has served in various roles within Christian schools, seminaries and Christian higher education institutions. His experience includes a stint as head principal of a diverse Christian school in Southern California. Continue Reading →

October 10, 2017
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education’s Darlene Kyser Marks 50 Years at Baylor [10-10-2017]

On her first day of work at Baylor University’s School of Education (SOE), Darlene Kyser sat in a small, musty room on the third floor of Pat Neff Hall, surrounded by old books, typing up permanent record cards on an electric typewriter.

“I went home and told my husband, Don, I just did not think it was going to work out,” Kyser reminisces with a soft laugh. “But Don said, ‘Why don’t you give it a couple of days?’ So I did, and here I am 50 years later.”

Now Kyser sits tall in a black chair at a wooden desk in her spacious office in Marrs McLean Science — a shift from the closet room where she worked decades ago. Kyser, assistant to the dean of Baylor’s School of Education, manages the day-to-day meetings, conferences and schedule of the dean. She also assists with faculty search committees, communicates university-wide policies and procedures to SOE faculty and staff, and hosts annual dean events. In September 2017, Kyser celebrated 50 years in the SOE, and at the end of October, she will retire. Continue Reading →

July 21, 2017
by Baylor Instant Impact
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New Advisor to Students Joins Baylor School of Education [07/21/2017]

Baylor University School of Education (SOE) is excited to welcome home Baylor graduate Tamara Roznos, BSEd ’92, as the new SOE undergraduate advisor to students. Roznos joins the SOE staff with 25 years of experience in the public school system.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to build relationships with students and help them meet their professional goals for the future,” Roznos said. “I’m excited to be part of the Baylor family again.”

Roznos is available to meet with incoming, returning and transfer undergraduate students year-round on the first floor of the SOE, office number 113. Academic advisors help students select and register for classes, plan their schedules, and set long-term goals. The SOE advising staff — led by Dr. Joel Porter, assistant dean for undergraduate programs — guides education students during their entire four years in the SOE. Continue Reading →

May 1, 2015
by Baylor Instant Impact
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SOE Hosts Retirement Reception for Dean Jon Engelhardt [05/01/2015]

--EngelhardtRec-Cain-BLOG

Waco ISD Superintendent Dr. Bonny Cain and SOE Dean Dr. Jon Engelhardt

The Baylor School of Education (SOE) and the Baylor Provost’s Office hosted a great crowd at the retirement reception for SOE Dean Dr. Jon Engelhardt on April 28. The event was in the Great Hall of Truett Seminary on the Baylor campus.

Guest speakers included Baylor Provost Dr. David Garland; Dr. Bonny Cain, Waco ISD superintendent, representing the Greater Waco Area Superintendent group; Donell Teaff, representing the Dean’s Advisory Council; Dr. Larry Browning, representing the SOE faculty; and SOE Associate Dean Dr. Doug Rogers.

Click the Facebook Album to see photos of the event.

March 23, 2015
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor SOE Graduate Erin Stamile Joins Staff of Education LLC [3/23/15]

ErinStamile-Blog-300Baylor graduate and former Pre-Health Honors Program Coordinator Erin Stamile is now the new Program Director for the Education Living & Learning Center.

After applying and interviewing earlier this semester, Stamile stepped into this new position on March 23, 2015.

Stamile said she is excited to work with incoming students and build leadership positions for those students to be involved in.

“I would love to get student leaders excited about getting their handprint on the new Education LLC,” Stamile said. “I want them to feel like this is a place they can really call home for years to come.” Continue Reading →

March 5, 2015
by Baylor Instant Impact
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SOE’s Katy Wiswall Named Baylor Outstanding Staff Member [3/5/2015]

Head shot – Katy Wiswall – 01/21/2015

Katy Wiswall

Katy Wiswall, BBA ’92, MACC ’11, financial and grants manager for the School of Education(SOE), was named an outstanding staff member of Baylor University at a ceremony in Waco Hall in January. She was among eight Baylor employees honored.

Also honored was former SOE staffer Andrea Baker, who moved recently to the new College of Health and Human Sciences. In addition, SOE graduate Jon Capron, BSEd ’03, MSEd ’05, who is assistant head coach of Baylor’s cross country team, received the BaylorPLUS Award. Baylor’s Department of Human Resources hosted the awards ceremony, and all awards were presented by Baylor President Ken Starr. Continue Reading →