Podcast Points: President Livingstone Recaps 2024’s Best Moments, Looks Ahead to New Year

From wrapping up one strategic plan and kicking off another to being recognized for  transformational undergraduate research, 2024 marked a year of transition and achievement for Baylor University. President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., joins this week’s Baylor Connections podcast to recap the best of last year while laying out the foundation for all the exciting moments still to come in 2025. 

Podcast Points with President Livingstone

Year of Transformation   

• President Livingstone discusses the success of the Illuminate strategic plan and Give Light philanthropic campaign while touching on implementing the new Baylor in Deeds strategic plan, including its focus on student flourishing, global connection, interdisciplinary research, Christian stewardship and analyzing the impact of technology. 
• “We felt like going into this plan, we really needed to focus on what we at Baylor could do that not only had an impact in the world but also provided a window into our life as a Christian university and really shone the light on Christ and how he's impacting us,” she said. 

All Things Athletics 

• President Livingstone dives into all things athletics, discussing the growth during football season and the thrill of seeing her daughter come back to Baylor as an assistant coach for the volleyball team.
• As Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, she explains how the shifting landscape of college athletics continues to develop, pointing out the challenges around the House vs. NCAA case, employment of student-athletes and the transfer portal.  
• President Livingstone said university presidents are paying close attention to the student-athletes’ best interests, always “thinking about how we as presidents can have an influence in those decisions that are being made and can ensure that we maintain the integrity of the academic component of our missions as they relate to athletics, but certainly to the broader institution as we go through a very chaotic but ever-changing time in college athletics.” 

Holistic Approach to Education  

• Livingstone recaps the University’s accomplishments, including being named a U.S. News top undergraduate research and teaching university and a TIME Magazine Best College for Future Leaders, while setting record first-year retention rates. She says Baylor’s emphasis on holistic education is what allows student flourishing to take place, discussing research opportunities and service to the community as essential components of the student experience. 
• She touches on the secret to success, saying, “If you hire the right faculty, you create the right environment, you're going to have a great opportunity for students to have a great undergraduate experience that integrates teaching and research in what becomes a really rich learning environment.”      

LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION 

Listen to the full conversation with President Livingstone on the Baylor Connection 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. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.