Baylor University Honors Outstanding Faculty for 2025-26

Contact: Kelly Craine, 254-297-9065
Follow us: @BaylorUMedia on X and LinkedIn

Read More Accolades

Twelve Baylor University professors have been honored with Outstanding Faculty Awards for their exceptional teaching, scholarship and contributions to the academic community for the 2025-26 academic year.

The Outstanding Faculty Awards recognize the best all-around professors – including non-tenure track, tenured and tenure-track faculty – on teaching capabilities, research achievement, effective committee service, time spent with students and civic and church involvement.

The designation represents a singular honor for Baylor faculty since the recognition comes from their colleagues. Each of the honorees will receive an award of $3,750, a citation and recognition by their departments.

“Taken together, this year’s Outstanding Faculty honorees embody the highest calling of the academic vocation at Baylor University,” said Marshall Magnusen, Ph.D., associate professor of educational leadership in the Moody School of Education and chair of the selection committee.

“Through inspired teaching, these faculty members ignite curiosity and cultivate a transformational Christian educational experience. Through rigorous research, they expand the boundaries of knowledge and engage the world’s most pressing questions. Through devoted service, they strengthen our institution and extend its reach into the broader community,” Magnusen said. “In their teaching, scholarship and servant leadership, they reveal a shared commitment not only to excellence, but to Baylor’s distinctive purpose. In them, we see a living reflection of a university that esteems teaching, advances discovery and serves both the academy and the world beyond our Waco borders.”

Baylor University Outstanding Faculty 2025-26

Tenured Teaching Award

• Ann Shoemaker, D.M.A., associate professor of instrumental studies, School of Music
• Matthew G. Gerber, Ph.D., associate professor of communications studies, College of Arts & Sciences
• Annette von Jouanne, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering, School of Engineering and Computer Science 

Tenure-Track Teaching Award, all Schools

• Gospel Kim, Ph.D., assistant professor of educational psychology, Moody School of Education

Non-Tenure-Track Teaching Award

• Carrie Arroyo, M.S.W., clinical professor of social work, Diana R. Garland School of Social Work,
• Karenna F. Malavanti, Ph.D., senior lecturer of psychology and neuroscience, College of Arts & Sciences
• Erik H. Davidson, D.B.A., clinical professor of finance, Hankamer School of Business

Tenured Scholarship Award

• Grant Morgan, Ph.D., professor of educational psychology, Moody School of Education
• Christie M. Sayes, Ph.D., professor of environmental sciences, College of Arts & Sciences
• J. Brian Jordon, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering, School of Engineering and Computer Science 

Tenure-Track Scholarship Award 

• Cory Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of health, human performance and recreation, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences 

Significant Contributions to the Academic Community

• Eva Doyle, Ph.D., professor of public health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences 

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 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.