Podcast Points: Forming the Heart and Soul of Campus with VP for Student Life

Baylor Student Life offers countless resources and opportunities to support the complete development of students. Vice President for Student Life Kevin Jackson, Ph.D., leads more than 20 departments and offices, including student activities, spiritual life, health and wellness and residential living.  

Jackson joined the weekly Baylor Connections podcast for a conversation about the Fall semester, how student life creates a range of student environments and how a comprehensive approach will continue to guide efforts in the future.  

Podcast Points with Kevin Jackson, Ph.D. 

Gearing Up for the Fall Semester  

• Although community building begins over the summer with orientation and Line Camp, Baylor’s Welcome Week and move-in solidify the sense of community and reconnect students as they prepare for the semester.  

• Jackson revels in the campus transition from summer to a busy fall semester. “The energy and the enthusiasm, you just really can’t describe it...it just transforms the entire campus.”  

Taking a Holistic Approach 

• For Jackson and student life leaders, building the Baylor Family means leaning into the diverse areas of student life.  

• Jackson emphasized Baylor’s focus on not only informing the mind but “forming the heart and soul.” 

• From the dining hall configuration to Baylor’s new approach to Chapel, students have the opportunity to forge connections in all aspects of their everyday lives.  

Modeling Leadership  

• Baylor University was recently named to TIME Magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 Best Colleges for Future Leaders.  

• Jackson highlights the importance of seeing great leadership modeled in President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., as well as the vice presidents of the University. “We work really hard to model the leadership that we would want our students to replicate or emulate.” 

• One way that Baylor is currently seeking to continue to build leaders is through a leadership certificate open to all majors. The certificate "combines the best of in-class and out-of-class experiences” like leadership classes, leadership speakers and holding student leadership positions.  

Looking Toward the Future  

• This month, President Livingstone announced Baylor’s new strategic plan: Baylor in Deeds, which includes building a “vibrant, caring and global community.” Jackson underscores the importance of student life in helping Baylor achieve this through a unified approach to shaping leaders at Baylor.  

• The continued renovations of Baylor’s residence halls, most recently the Honors Residential College and Collins Hall, have been instrumental in building community and a sense of belonging among students, especially in their first year. 

LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION 

Listen to the full conversation with Kevin Jackson on the Baylor Connections podcast.  

ABOUT BAYLOR CONNECTIONS 

Baylor Connections with host Derek Smith goes in depth each week with Baylor leaders, professors and more, discussing important topics in higher education, research and student life. Baylor Connections airs on Fridays at 11 a.m. CT on KWBU 103.3FM in Waco. The podcast also is available online or by subscribing to Baylor Connections on iTunes. 

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 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 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.