A Christian R1 Dean

In Fall 2021, Jason R. Carter, PhD, was contacted by a search firm to consider the position of Dean at Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. Within a few months of that conversation, Baylor was named a Research I (R1) university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. For Carter, who at the time was serving in a leadership role at the already R1-classified Montana State University, the announcement was affirmation that this particular position was worth a more careful consideration. 

“It was a really critical factor for me when I was considering the position,” he reflected. “Baylor is the preeminent Christian R1 university in my opinion, and it makes for an enriching environment where you can push the scientific boundaries with your research—but do it with Christian colleagues. That’s attractive. That’s a distinction of Baylor that pulled me in and is pulling more and more faculty in.”

When Carter’s hiring was announced in May 2022, Baylor Provost Nancy Brickhouse, PhD, commended his remarkable research background alongside his Christian commitment. His appointment represented an investment by the University in a unique type of leader—a Christian research dean. 

There are very few deans in the country who have landed multimillion-dollar NIH grants and also confidently proclaim their Christian faith as the inspiration for and complement to their academic work. Carter is leading the way, both at Baylor and beyond, as an academic leader who conducts and leads high-level research while leaning into his relationship with Christ. Through his own research, his approach to mentorship, and his commitment to resourcing and fostering collaboration, Carter is defining what it means to be a Christian research dean.

ALWAYS A RESEARCHER 

While Carter has extensive experience as a leader of a major research enterprise—previously serving as the Vice President for Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education at the largest research university in Montana—he is also an active researcher himself. No matter whether he was serving as vice president, department chair, or faculty member, Carter always ensured that he had time available for his own research.

He shares that he received this sage advice from an associate dean whom he admired early in his career. When asked about the “secret sauce” to this individual’s institutional and personal success, the colleague replied that, for him, the secret was never giving up his research.

“He told me that any time he had a bad day in the classroom, or with administration, he would have his research to go to. It was his outlet. He said, ‘Carter, as long as you can, keep doing research. Deans at really good institutions can do research. Vice presidents of research can do research.’”

It isn’t always easy, Carter shared, and it isn’t for everyone. It requires disciplined time management and the development of a solid team that can be trusted for delegation. But he concurs with the associate dean who originally offered him advice—his research remains an outlet. In addition, it gives him the opportunity to better understand the faculty he is trying to represent and serve.

“I love leadership by example when it is possible. My research keeps me grounded. It keeps me rooted. And it helps me to better understand the needs across the College,” he said.

MENTORSHIP AND COLLABORATION 

As Carter acknowledges, his ongoing research activity fosters a deep appreciation for the work of the faculty researchers he oversees—both their triumphs and their challenges. It also connects directly with his commitment to mentorship and collaboration.

“The more senior I get with my research, the more fulfillment I get from the mentorship side,” he shared. “Some of the most gratifying components of my own research now are helping others think through their research and helping them succeed.”

Carter serves as a mentor and advisor to faculty and postdoctoral researchers within Robbins College, to other Baylor faculty members from different academic units, and to faculty across the United States who are engaging in work that parallels his own. He credits his own mentors and their impact on him for his desire to mentor others.

“There are so many components of research that are about the intangibles. It can be about persistence or experimental design or networking. The nature of research is so dynamic that if you don’t have people to talk to about your research, then your research is not going to reach its full potential,” he shared.

“Driving my motivation to be in higher education and conduct research is to serve others—as God calls us to do.”

In addition to developing individual mentor-mentee relationships, Carter also has worked closely with Robbins College Associate Dean for Research Renée Umstattd Meyer, PhD, to develop college-level initiatives that promote collaboration and partnership. The College has hosted multiple “3x3 Quick Talks,” during which faculty members share about their particular research subject and opportunities for collaboration using three PowerPoint slides in three minutes. Carter has also personally offered his own expertise and knowledge during “Research Power Hour” workshops focused on topics like study sections and identifying grant funding. 

“There’s no doubt that science and research is a very competitive business,” he said. “But by collaborating with other people, you can actually advance your career. You can advance your ideas.”

THE FAITH FACTOR 

While Carter’s research success is outstanding and his commitments to mentorship and collaboration are commendable, these factors alone are not what set him apart as a leader. His true distinctiveness is found in a deep Christian faith that inspires and strengthens everything he does.

Trained as an exercise physiologist, Carter now classifies himself as a sleep physiologist. His research focuses on the intersection between sleep, exercise, stress, the autonomic nervous system, and cardiovascular health in humans. This is the general subject of work that has led to more than $74 million in external research awards. But, the curiosity behind the science is rooted in something more.

“There are countless ways to be a Christian scholar. There are people at Baylor who are researching Christian faith, and right now, that’s not me. Instead, I’m interested in how sleep insufficiencies or disorders impact neural and cardiovascular health. Driving my motivation to be in higher education and conduct research is to serve others—as God calls us to do,” he shared.

Faith and research unite in Carter’s commitment to collaboration as well. 

“Jesus didn’t just keep things to himself—he had disciples and he invested in that team of 12. As scientists at Baylor, we can invest more holistically into the intellectual, mental, physical, and spiritual health of the people we’re training and the people we’re collaborating with,” he said. “Life is meant to be done with other people, and I believe research is, too.”

As he interacts with others, both as a leader and a collaborator, Carter says he often reflects on the “fruit of the Spirit” from Galatians 5:22-23—which he has displayed in large vinyl letters on the wall of his office—to guide him. He espouses patience as a virtue—both in everyday life and, especially, in grant writing. In his work, he pushes boundaries but recognizes the need for self-control. In a realm of work that can at times be frustrating, he seeks to find joy.

“These are the kinds of things I think about as we develop dedicated and resilient faculty members here in Robbins College and at Baylor—individuals who might get knocked down but are willing to get back up because they’re doing it for a bigger purpose,” he said. “My own life has gone through a transformation since truly accepting Christ. It’s about something bigger. And when you have something bigger, you think more clearly and you are able to pursue excellence—but within a Christian framework.

“I love being at an institution where I can embrace my Christian faith while pushing the boundaries of physiological research. I want to pursue and support excellent science. I want to lead our College to that next level of excellence. But, I want to do that in a way that contributes to the greater Kingdom.”