BEST Program
BEST is a yearlong academic leadership cohort comprised of the "leaders of leaders" within the Hankamer School of Business. The purpose of the program is to identify, select, and recruit -- and then educate, develop, and launch -- the world's future global Christian business leaders from Baylor University.
These highly motivated students anticipate a rigorous program comprised of its namesake core values: Business, Excellence, Scholarship, and Team. BEST is intentionally designed to foster an environment in which students inspire each other to make a difference in the world through personal growth and learning.
You are invited to get involved and give back to these multiplying young business leaders. For every BEST student developed and transformed through their unique journey, dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of future employees could be impacted. We believe each member of this unique, handpicked cohort is discovering their potential to be the inspiring leader they were created to be.
Program Overview
BEST students expect and receive a world-class experience that focuses on real-world practice. The classroom is utilized for actual business case analysis and discussion, generally integrated with a CEO or entrepreneur visiting as a case protagonist. Students collaborate in and out of the classroom to learn general strategic management and develop as leaders.
Some case studies include a company tour somewhere in Texas, elsewhere in the United States, or internationally as part of the blended travel components. Sometimes, reading and discussing a case is not enough to fully appreciate the transformative lifelong lessons from a company's leadership, crisis, or growth. These stories must be intimately experienced in the business settings alongside the managers, leaders, and families who themselves were transformed and now commit to generously give back to the next generation of leaders.
BEST is organized through student teams that collaborate and take responsibility to execute on the overall vision. Teams serve local businesses and nonprofits in central Texas through pro bono strategic consulting evaluations. They also research and analyze public companies to recommend mock long-term strategies. The small cohort size allows for tight-knit community that provides support while in BEST and after graduation. Students take the long view, building a better BEST for future students in the years and decades that come after them.
Give to the Business Excellence Scholarship Team Fund.
Below is the Recruitment Schedule for the 2025-2026 BEST class
Wednesday, January 22nd - BEST Information Meeting, Foster 240, 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Friday, January 31st - Professor Nominations Due
Friday, February 7th - BEST Applications Due
Monday, February 17th - Wednesday February 19th - Interviews
Thursday, February 27th - Post New BEST Class
Wednesday, March 5th - Mandatory 'Acceptance of Nomination' session for new BEST Class, 7:00 a.m.
*All dates are subject to change, check back for updates
Important Links:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. For what classification of students are you accepting applications? We are interested in junior-level candidates who are business majors.
2. What does the recruiting process look like? The process takes place early in the spring. First, a professor in the business school must nominate you for the program. You may prompt a professor to submit a nomination form for you. Second, you must submit an application by the posted date. The application consists of questions about GPA, major, campus involvement, and a few essays. After the applications are collected, the recruitment committee will post a list of students who are asked to sign up for an interview. After the candidates complete interviews, the 2023 BEST class will be announced.
3. Will BEST fulfill any degree requirements? The program is structured as two courses taken in the fall and spring semester of your senior year. The fall class counts as an upper-level business elective, and the spring class counts as the required course, strategic management (BUS 4385).
4. What are you looking for in a candidate? There are no clear-cut criteria to be eligible, but one focus of the program is to unite academically excellent business students of all disciplines. Factors that will be considered are extracurricular involvement, demonstrated leadership skills, work experience, GPA, and major. Also, diversity is important to the team and will be considered in candidate selection.
5. How do I get started? Professor nominations are due at the end of January or beginning of February. We will post information in the business school when the forms are available. Most professors are aware of the program and will be happy to recommend you.
If you have any questions about the BEST recruitment process, please do not hesitate to email Tyler Self at Tyler_Self@baylor.edu.
Contact
If you are an employer who would like to speak at a class session or a student who has a question about the program, you may contact our coordinator, Tyler Self, at Tyler_Self@baylor.edu.
