The Ongoing Work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Baylor

Our Mission:

Given the current events in our society and the magnanimitas or “greatness of spirit” that embodies Baylor School, we are committed to the journey of helping our Black students and other students of color feel a sense of belonging by improving how staff, faculty, and students understand, identify, prevent, and eradicate racism on campus; and that every member of the Baylor Community can fulfill their God-given potential.

Our Goals:

• To identify meaningful and sustainable and long-lasting actions that Baylor School will take to make our community more inclusive and with a greater feeling of belonging for Black students and other students of color who walk the hills and halls of our school.
• To identify meaningful, sustainable, and long-lasting actions that Baylor School will implement to help prevent racism and discrimination on our campus.

The process:

The schedule for this important process coincides with the school's planning for the 2020-2021 school year in light of the continuing pandemic. This may affect the timing of certain steps. We appreciate your patience.

Process and Action items

The schedule for this important process coincides with the school's planning for the 2020-21 school year in light of the continuing pandemic. This may affect the timing of certain steps. We appreciate your patience.

Step 1 – Listen and Understand

• Baylor hired Derek Young, President and CEO of YMG Enterprises, LLC, a Nashville-based corporate culture consulting firm in late summer of 2020 to steer the committee work for the next 18 to 24 months.
• A committee comprised of 23 individuals, including trustees, parents, alumni, faculty, and administrators began meeting in fall 2020.
• Sub-committee groups have met more frequently. Each subcommittee represents one constituency group within the Baylor community—faculty, students, parents, and alumni.
• Alumni, parents, students, and faculty surveyed in December, 2020. Once the data is compiled by Young's company, he will work with the subcommittees to establish focus groups.
• Focus group discussions and research will take place in January, 2021. These will be conducted either in person, or through Zoom, with parents, students, faculty, and alumni.

Step 2 – Process the Feedback and Identify Action Steps

• Feedback and data from the surveys and focus group sessions will help guide and implement future policies and procedures.
• Longer term work will cover curriculum changes and hiring practices.
• More information will be shared with the Baylor community in the spring of 2021.

Step 3 – Implement and Track Progress

• The work is ongoing, and Baylor will continue to identify areas of growth as a community. For more information, email Tawambi Settles, Baylor's director of diversity and inclusion.

Committee Members

Ryan Armstrong - Interim Admission Director, Dorm Faculty, Middle School Football and Baseball Coach
Precious Birdsong ‘14 – Alumni
Ben Brown ‘00 - Board member
Elin Bunch ‘09 - Director of Community Service
Linda Cooke - Director of Student Diversity and Development
Ryan Crimmins ’78 – Chairman Board of Trustees
Takisha Haynie - Dorm Faculty, English Instructor, Dean of Residential Life (9th and 10th Grades)
Cecily Honeycutt - History/Social Sciences Instructor
Dallas Joseph - VP of Finance and Operations
Jennifer Lindsay - Head of the Middle School, History/Social Sciences Instructor
Pam McKenney – Board Member
Bill Murdock ‘81 - Director of Financial Aid, Dorm Faculty
Vic Oakes - Concert Choir Director, Fine Arts Department Chair
Mark Price - Upper School Athletic director, Head Boys' Basketball Coach
Tawambi Settles - Director of Inclusivity, Associate Dean of Students, Middle School, History/Social Science Instructor
Niko Simpkins ’18 – Alumni
Sophia Simpkins - Parent
Aaron Tisdale – Social Media Director
Christy Tomisek - Director of Middle School Student Support
Gerald Ware - Parent
Becky Williams - School Counselor
Scott Wilson ‘75 - Headmaster
Shaw Wilson ‘84 - Assistant Headmaster

For More Information