Letter from Dean Carter
When I was asked to serve on Baylor University’s Strategic Planning Group in early 2023, I knew that we were about to embark on an impactful journey for the future of the University. After 93 listening sessions with 2,300 participants, 114 white papers, 71 interviews with external stakeholders, numerous drafts, discussions, and conversations, it was a true celebration to witness the unveiling of Baylor’s new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds, in Fall 2024.
If you have reviewed Baylor in Deeds, you will notice significant emphasis placed on the fields of health and human sciences. In fact, along with engineering, health is one of the four imperatives woven across all four of the plan’s commitments! Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is positioned strongly and prominently in Baylor’s vision for the next five years, and our faculty and staff are excited to be a part of shaping this future.
In this edition of Robbins College’s annual magazine, you will read about the ways our students, faculty, and staff are already answering the question, “Why does the world need Baylor?” You will learn about a student gaining a new perspective on healthcare, read about faculty delivering excellence in education outside of the classroom, and discover a new research project that could significantly impact the lives of female service members.
As you read about the future of Robbins College, I ask for your prayers, your engagement, and your support. As we pursue student flourishing, impactful research, nurturing a caring and global community, and responsible stewardship of our gifts and resources, we recognize that we are ultimately pursuing the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we pray that our deeds and activities may further his Kingdom and share his light.
JASON R. CARTER, PhD
Dean and Professor
Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
Baylor University
Following the launch of Baylor University’s Strategic Plan, Baylor in Deeds, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences promptly began work on its own unit-level plan. Using its strategic Signature Research Initiatives as a foundation—along with input from College-wide surveys, departmental conversations, stakeholder discussions, and leadership deliberations— the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences 2024-2030 Strategic Plan was born.
In 2024, Department of Physical Therapy faculty Shane Koppenhaver, PT, PhD, Clinical Professor and Associate Chair, and Laurel Proulx, PT, DPT, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, received a four-year $2.5 million grant award from the Department of Defense to test a novel intervention for female service members suffering from debilitating chronic pelvic pain. The potential outcomes of this research could include better access to care and rapid yet effective treatment, expediting service members’ return to duty.
Steve and Pam Eakin have become strong supporters of and advocates for Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences as a whole, yet their hearts belong to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Most recently, they decided to endow a new scholarship for the Department—creating a ripple of impact for those who serve and are served in the field of speech-language pathology.
Each academic semester, the Public Health Fair takes place underneath the Interstate 35 overpass near Baylor’s campus—utilizing the same unassuming concrete where Church Under the Bridge holds outdoor worship services on Sundays. The fair’s outreach serves as an opportunity for Waco’s underserved residents to gain vital information about their own health, and it provides real-world immersive learning through a blend of academics and service for Public Health students.
Just a short drive from Newport Beach sits an old barn flanked by peaceful indoor and outdoor spaces, bamboo forests, and friendly dogs—aptly named, Barn Life Recovery has resided as a holistic rehabilitation center since 2018—providing community-based treatment for individuals living with mood disorders. Among the center’s practitioners is Baylor University alumna Polly Sweitzer, OTD, OTR/L, who serves as the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) in mental health.
Inaugural Program Director Meredith Quinene, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, has worked tirelessly to bring Baylor University's Physician Assistant Studies program to life. In this Q&A, Quinene shares an inside look at her journey in building the degree program, what makes Baylor stand apart from other PA programs, and her bold vision for the future.
In Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, immersive trips offer chances to strengthen leadership skills, engage in research and clinical practices, and discover different cultures. These experiences would not be available without the Baylor University professors who develop curriculum, organize schedules, and juggle travel plans to ensure their courses make the greatest impact—both academically and beyond—for their students.
Internships play a critical role for students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen profession—and sometimes, they bring about unexpected moments that spark new perspectives. This was true for Health Science Studies senior Rubina Ramirez, who completed an “eye-opening opportunity” through the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation’s Direct Primary Care Immersion Experience program.
Long gone are the days of fluorescent lighting, rows of metal desks, and stark white paint on every wall in schools. Today, with the guidance of Baylor University alumna Jillian Diffee, RID, IIDA, school campuses are being designed for both students and educators—with their mental and physical wellbeing top of mind—offering bold environments that are inclusive, energy-efficient, and inspirational.
In 2024, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences researchers published more than 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and publications. View examples from across the College, as well as a selection of grant-funded projects.
In Fall 2024, a “next level” faculty and staff recognition initiative launched for Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. Pure Gold award winners became eligible for the Gold Standard award, an annual honor recognizing five faculty and staff members for their exceptional contributions to the College through research achievement, teaching excellence, effective service, and/or contributions to building a positive College culture.