Billington Peer Leader Program Recognized for Transforming First-Year Student Success

The Hankamer School of Business (HSB) has been named the recipient of the 2025 Bobby G. Bizzell Innovative Achievement Award, presented by the Southwestern Business Deans’ Association (SWBDA). The award honors business programs that have demonstrated innovative excellence in areas such as curriculum, teaching, outreach and student support.

HSB received the award in recognition of its Billington Peer Leader Program, a mentorship initiative that connects upper-level business students with first-year pre-business students. The program fosters academic success, leadership development and a strong sense of Christ-centered community within the Business School.

The award was presented at SWBDA’s annual meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Laura Lalani, associate director for Student Success Initiatives, and Mitch Neubert, PhD, senior associate dean of Research and Faculty Development, represented HSB at the meeting. Lalani delivered a presentation outlining the program’s development, student outcomes and research foundation. The session concluded with a Q&A from deans across the region.

As part of the recognition, HSB received a commemorative plaque and a $3,000 cash prize, which will be used to continue enhancing the Peer Leader Program and supporting its long-term impact.

“I was honored to share what makes this program so meaningful,” Lalani said. “It was an incredible opportunity not only to highlight the program’s growth and impact but also to share how we approach business education through the lens of our Christian mission.”

The program was developed in summer 2022 and piloted in spring 2023 with 40 students and seven peer leaders. By fall 2024, it had expanded to 243 students and 20 peer leaders – underscoring its success in meeting student needs and building a supportive network at Baylor.

This fall, the program will roll out to all first-year pre-business students, impacting approximately 1,000 students with support from 78 peer leaders.

The Billington Peer Leader Program would not be as successful without the support of HSB administration and faculty, Lalani said. Cindy Wu, PhD, the associate dean for Community, Teaching, and Learning, has championed the program for several years, including through research studying the impact of the program. 

“This award is the first official recognition outside of our own community for the excellent and hard work of our Billington Peer Leader Program,” Wu said. “Building Christ-centered community and belonging requires everyone to do their part. The program exemplifies exactly this. Everyone serves one another with a heart and mind of Christ, and we truly function as a body of Christ for a vision that is bigger than us, rooted in and inspired by the love of Christ.”

Learn how the Billington Peer Leader Program supports first year pre-business students and impacts the HSB community, here.