Dean's Report 2025-2026
The past academic year at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business has been both energizing and formative. We have advanced high-impact research, expanded distinctive experiential learning and strengthened meaningful engagement with our alumni, donors and peer institutions. At the same time, we have undertaken an intentional and reflective process to articulate the core values that will guide our strategic direction in the years ahead.
Through a deliberate and prayerful process, we identified four defining values: Community, Humility, Excellence and Stewardship. Community reflects our commitment to cultivating a collaborative, caring environment where we invest in one another and pursue shared flourishing. Humility underscores a posture of learning and openness, recognizing that wise leadership begins with a willingness to listen, grow and elevate the contributions of others.
Excellence calls us to pursue the highest standards in teaching, research and engagement, striving to achieve rigorous outcomes while fulfilling an even higher calling. Stewardship reminds us that our resources, relationships and influence are entrusted to us, and we are responsible for managing them faithfully and with long-term purpose. Together, these values guide how we teach, lead, serve and care for one another, shaping who we are and who we are continually becoming as a Christian business school.
As you read this Dean’s Report, you will see tangible examples of these values in action across our programs, research centers and partnerships. I am deeply grateful for your continued investment, wise counsel and shared commitment to advancing excellent, Christ-centered business education for the benefit of the world.
David M. Szymanski, PhD
William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean
Hankamer School of Business
We influence those around us for their good and for God’s glory.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)
We exemplify Christ as we learn, work and lead, just as he humbled himself for our sake.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
We honor the LORD by pursuing excellence in all that we do.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
We steward the resources entrusted to us, knowing all we have is not ours, but rather from the Lord.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
