SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER |
A monthly look at how Baylor students, faculty, staff, and partners extend learning beyond the classroom—and how you might, too, through research, internships, fellowships, and community-based global learning.
In this edition:
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Get to know the OEL
- Read our recent news and announcements
- Explore opportunities of interest
- Enjoy our photo of the month!
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It's been a busy September in the OEL! Our flagship leadership programs—the Vardaman Scholars and Provost's Scholars programs—involve students in their second through fourth years at Baylor and are off and running in all sorts of interesting directions. We recently hosted our third annual Summer of Discovery research symposium, celebrating the work of more than 50 Baylor students who completed fully-funded research and internship programs through the Baylor Summer Fellows program. And as we speak, scores of applications are in the final stages of submission for major awards such as the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and Churchill scholarships. Amid all this, we in the OEL remain deeply proud of these students and as committed as ever to helping all Baylor students discover ways to orient their learning and their lives toward the flourishing of neighbors and the common good. Scroll below to learn more about these and other great opportunities!
Cheers,
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Andrew P. Hogue, PhD
Associate Dean
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| | OEL Team Profile: Andy Hogue
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Dr. Andy Hogue, our associate dean for engaged learning, usually asks the questions in our "Get to Know the OEL" series. In our latest installment, we flip the camera and ask him!
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Baylor Students Showcase Summer Research and Community Impact at Summer of Discovery Symposium |
More than 50 undergraduate students presented research and internship projects at the 2026 Summer of Discovery Undergraduate Fellows Research Symposium, highlighting a summer of discovery, innovation, and community engagement through the OEL's Summer Fellows program.
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Alumni Spotlight: Lily Dickenson ('25), Fulbright Dispatch from Turkey |
Lily Dickenson (BA '25, history and political science) shares her experience on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award to Turkey from 2025-2026.
"For students who are thinking about applying, I would say: start now by seeking out experiences that push you out of your comfort zone. Volunteer, engage with your community, and find ways to learn from people whose backgrounds are different from your own."
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Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow: Liam Liu |
Liam Liu, senior biochemistry major, reflects on his time as a B-TRUE Fellow in Dr. Touradj Solouki's lab this summer studying the conformational changes that occurred to a small peptide under varying conditions.
"Although it may seem like I am working in isolation, my data will be used by others, and I have a responsibility to report accurate numbers. This, in itself, is a form of service to the community...My research is for the community...for whoever needs the truth of it next."
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| Learn and Serve in a 1-Hour Philanthropy & Public Service (PPS) Course this Spring |
With topics spanning community health, child poverty, philanthropy, law, sustainability, immigration, tax accounting, housing, and many more, PPS 1100 is a perfect choice for students interested in taking unique and innovative courses that introduce them to a range of topics related to the common good and human flourishing and of local, national, and global importance.
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Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow: Jack Ryder |
Junior Business Fellow Jack Ryder joined Dr. Cory Dungan's lab this summer as a B-TRUE fellow. Read his reflections on why his research on muscle fibers matters.
"This summer has furthered my understanding that my work is oriented to the common good, which includes a group years down the line that I may never actually interact with or see."
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Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow: Iara Peralta Siracusa |
This summer, senior neuroscience major (and Vardaman Scholar and Provost's Scholar) Iara Peralta Siracusa was a research intern at the University of Trento’s Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, researching the influence of magnetic fields on honeybee behavior.
"At the intersection of neuroscience, animal behavior, computational analysis, and physics, the implications of this research expanded my understanding of the value of interdisciplinary scientific inquiry."
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Baylor Students Showcase Summer Research and Community Impact at Summer of Discovery Symposium |
More than 50 undergraduate students presented research and internship projects at the 2026 Summer of Discovery Undergraduate Fellows Research Symposium, highlighting a summer of discovery, innovation, and community engagement through the OEL's Summer Fellows program.
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Learn and Serve in a 1-Hour Philanthropy & Public Service (PPS) Course this Spring |
With topics spanning community health, child poverty, philanthropy, law, sustainability, immigration, tax accounting, housing, and many more, PPS 1100 is a perfect choice for students interested in taking unique and innovative courses that introduce them to a range of topics related to the common good and human flourishing and of local, national, and global importance.
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Alumni Spotlight: Lily Dickenson ('25), Fulbright Dispatch from Turkey |
Lily Dickenson (BA '25, history and political science) shares her experience on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award to Turkey from 2025-2026.
"For students who are thinking about applying, I would say: start now by seeking out experiences that push you out of your comfort zone. Volunteer, engage with your community, and find ways to learn from people whose backgrounds are different from your own."
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Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow: Jack Ryder |
Junior Business Fellow Jack Ryder joined Dr. Cory Dungan's lab this summer as a B-TRUE fellow. Read his reflections on why his research on muscle fibers matters.
"This summer has furthered my understanding that my work is oriented to the common good, which includes a group years down the line that I may never actually interact with or see."
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Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow: Liam Liu |
Liam Liu, senior biochemistry major, reflects on his time as a B-TRUE Fellow in Dr. Touradj Solouki's lab this summer studying the conformational changes that occurred to a small peptide under varying conditions.
"Although it may seem like I am working in isolation, my data will be used by others, and I have a responsibility to report accurate numbers. This, in itself, is a form of service to the community...My research is for the community...for whoever needs the truth of it next."
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Dispatch from a Baylor Summer Fellow: Iara Peralta Siracusa |
This summer, senior neuroscience major (and Vardaman Scholar and Provost's Scholar) Iara Peralta Siracusa was a research intern at the University of Trento’s Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, researching the influence of magnetic fields on honeybee behavior.
"At the intersection of neuroscience, animal behavior, computational analysis, and physics, the implications of this research expanded my understanding of the value of interdisciplinary scientific inquiry."
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Opportunities of Interest |
We think these opportunities may be of particular interest to students and campus partners in our network.
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Wed, Sep 30 (TODAY!) | 1:00-6:00pm | Foster Pavilion
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Looking for a job, internship, or graduate school options? Want a corporate gig? Non-profit job? Ministry? Media? Health & science? Engineering? Looking at grad school?
Whatever you're looking for, Career Day has something for every Baylor student.
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| Medicine as Mission Conference |
Oct 2-3 | 7:00pm-12:00pm | Elliston Chapel (Day 1) & Baylor Science Building (Day 2)
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Medicine as Mission invites Baylor students to explore how Christian faith can shape a life of service in healthcare. The two-day event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Catherine Moore of the Christian Community Health Fellowship, a worship gathering and interactive sessions with healthcare professionals focused on faith, service and vocation.
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Missions Week: Free Dinner with Global Organizations |
Tue, Oct 6 | 6:30-8:00pm | Bobo Spiritual Life Center
| Spend time learning about different opportunities to serve, intern, and work around the globe while enjoying a free dinner.
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Wed, Sep 30 (TODAY!) | 1:00-6:00pm | Foster Pavilion
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Looking for a job, internship, or graduate school options? Want a corporate gig? Non-profit job? Ministry? Media? Health & science? Engineering? Looking at grad school?
Whatever you're looking for, Career Day has something for every Baylor student.
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Medicine as Mission Conference |
Oct 2-3 | 7:00pm-12:00pm | Elliston Chapel (Day 1) & Baylor Science Building (Day 2)
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Medicine as Mission invites Baylor students to explore how Christian faith can shape a life of service in healthcare. The two-day event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Catherine Moore of the Christian Community Health Fellowship, a worship gathering and interactive sessions with healthcare professionals focused on faith, service and vocation.
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Missions Week: Free Dinner with Global Organizations | Tue, Oct 6 | 6:30-8:00pm | Bobo Spiritual Life Center
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Spend time learning about different opportunities to serve, intern, and work around the globe while enjoying a free dinner.
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Baylor Summer Fellow and senior University Scholar Casi Lummer presents her research from her summer internship with the Waco Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) at the Summer of Discovery Poster Symposium during Baylor's Family Weekend.
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