• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
  • About
    • Facts and Statistics
    • Mission and Values
    • School History
    • Office of the Dean
    • Advisory Board
    • Organizational Chart
    • Christian Leadership and Ethics
    • Robbins Institute
    • Technology Center and Facilities
    • Attendance Policy
    • Maps and Directions
    • Contact Information
  • Undergraduate
    • Current and Prospective Students
    • Accounting and Business Law
    • Baylor Business Fellows
    • Business Scholars
    • Economics
    • Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation
    • Finance
    • Information Systems and Business Analytics
    • Management
    • Marketing
  • Graduate
    • MBA
    • Master of Accountancy & Master of Taxation
    • Master of Science in Business Analytics
    • Master of Science in Economics
    • Master of Science in Information Systems
    • PhD in Entrepreneurship
    • PhD in Health Research and Policy
    • PhD in Information Systems
    • Army-Baylor Program
    • Graduate Certificates
    • Executive Education
    • Admissions
  • Global Business
    • Study-Abroad Opportunities
    • Other Global Opportunities
    • Certificate in Global Business
    • Student Resources
    • Events
    • Student Experiences
    • Faculty Resources
    • About the Center
    • Support the McBride Center
  • Community
    • Gathering Opportunities
    • Co-curricular Programs
    • Support and Development Resources
  • Faculty and Research
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Faculty Diversity
    • Faculty and Staff Resources
    • Faculty Emeriti
    • Industry Relations and Experiential Learning
    • Research Highlights
  • Student Resources
    • Team Room Reservation
    • Career Resources
    • HSB Scholarship Applications
    • Study Abroad
    • Student Organizations
    • HSB Peer Leader Program
  • Alumni
  • News and Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Baylor Business Review Magazine
    • Business Podcasts
  • Giving
Baylor BU Hankamer School of Business Global Business Other Global Opportunities BEST Program
  • Study-Abroad Opportunities
  • Other Global Opportunities
    • Baylor Business: On Mission
    • International Internships
    • BEST Program
    • Collaborative Online International Learning
  • Certificate in Global Business
  • Student Resources
  • Events
  • Student Experiences
  • Faculty Resources
  • About the Center
  • Support the McBride Center

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:

  • Faculty Nomination Form
  • 2025-2026 BEST Recruitment Presentation

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.

Hankamer School of Business

Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation
1621 S 3rd St.
Waco, TX 76706

One Bear Place #98001
Waco, TX 76798

(254) 710-3411
About
Give
Undergraduate
MBA
Masters and PhD
AACSB Logo
Baylor BU Hankamer School of Business Global Business Other Global Opportunities BEST Program
  • Baylor Business: On Mission
  • International Internships
  • BEST Program
  • Collaborative Online International Learning
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678