The Path Forward: Robbins College 2024-2030 Strategic Planning
“The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” —Proverbs 16:9
Following the launch of Baylor University’s Strategic Plan, Baylor in Deeds, in Fall 2024, the institution’s schools and colleges promptly began work on their own unit-level plans. In Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, strategic focus had already commenced through the development of the College’s Signature Research Initiatives the year prior. Using this collaborative work 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.
Aligned with Baylor in Deeds, Robbins College’s plan is grounded in the same foundational pillars and guided by the same commitments as the University’s plan:
Commitment I: Student Flourishing
The tremendous growth trajectory for Robbins College is ongoing. For the 11th consecutive year, total enrollment has increased, and the student body now more than doubles its size at the College’s inception in 2014. With this continued growth comes a continued commitment to student flourishing.
In the next five years, Robbins College seeks to double the number of undergraduate and graduate endowed student scholarships, positively impacting the financial burden of students at all levels. Relatedly, the College will work to increase first-year retention and four-year graduation rates for its students. Internal collaboration will also be key, with focused efforts to create curricular efficiencies across programs and to resource opportunities for shared interprofessional education.
Commitment II: Interdisciplinary Research
Just as enrollment has increased over the years, so has Robbins College research activity. An already strong and experienced research faculty is now being supplemented by bright and energetic junior faculty with exciting ideas and unlimited potential.
To support its growing research activity and personnel, Robbins College seeks to advance research infrastructure through facilities, equipment, and staffing. Resources and energy will be aligned with the Signature Research Initiatives, with goals to secure external funding and to hire faculty with expertise in each area. These hires—as well as current faculty—will be supported through increased attention to faculty compensation, encouraging both hiring and retention.
Commitment III: Caring and Global Community
Following the addition of Pro Mundo (“for the Worldˮ) to the University motto in 2024, Robbins College is exploring where the unit’s strengths and expertise might create strategic pathways for worldwide impact and student opportunity.
While many of its programs offer study abroad or missions opportunities, Robbins College seeks to prioritize new international partnerships to facilitate global engagement by students and faculty. Looking not only outward but also inward, the College is committed to developing programs and dedicated resources that foster civil discourse, spiritual development, recognition, community, and belonging.
Commitment IV: Christian Stewardship
With growth and opportunity comes a renewed commitment to faithful and responsible stewardship. For Robbins College, this means an evaluation and alignment of resources to support student success, faculty scholarship, quality teaching, and clinical experiences. By examining metrics like student-to-faculty ratios, faculty and staff workload expectations, and physical space constraints and opportunities, the College seeks to bolster efficiencies and effectiveness of the talents, time, and resources it has been granted.
ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.