Aligned in Mission: The Finance Department's August 2025 Retreat

The August 2025 Finance Faculty Retreat marked a defining moment of alignment for the Baylor University Department of Finance, not simply in what we do, but in who we are called to be.

We gathered with a clear purpose: to strengthen our shared mission as a Christ-centered academic community committed to glorifying God in all we do in Finance. The retreat was intentionally designed not as a series of updates, but as a focused working session to align priorities, sharpen direction and renew our collective commitment to excellence.

At its core, the conversation centered on formation. We reaffirmed that our role extends beyond delivering technical knowledge. We are forming students who will operate in complex financial environments with competence, integrity and a clear sense of vocation. This requires rigor in the classroom, relevance to practice, and a culture that integrates faith and professional responsibility in a natural and authentic way.

A highlight of the retreat was the keynote session by Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, director of the Institute for Faith and Learning and associate professor at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. She challenged us to reflect on the importance of living a virtuous life and on the role of higher education in shaping not only skilled professionals but also individuals formed in character and moral judgment. Her message reinforced a central conviction of our department: excellence in finance must be grounded in virtue and ordered toward the common good.

A central focus of the retreat was student outcomes. We emphasized the need for more structured career preparation, stronger engagement with alumni and industry partners, and earlier exposure to finance career paths. These efforts ensure that our students are not only academically prepared but also positioned for strong placement and long-term impact.

This commitment is already translating into action. Beginning in fall 2026, we will launch FIN 3101: Foundations in Finance Careers, a new course designed to provide structured, high-touch career preparation alongside the academic curriculum. In addition, we have hired a new faculty member to serve as the finance career support coordinator, strengthening our ability to connect students with opportunities, mentorship and industry insights. Complementing these efforts, initiatives such as Finance Night (see related article) further expand early exposure to finance career paths through direct engagement with our alumni.

The retreat also reinforced a key strength of our department: collegiality grounded in shared purpose. Faculty engaged in open, constructive dialogue around curriculum, research collaboration and student development. The tone was both candid and forward-looking, reflecting a strong foundation of trust and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Importantly, the retreat was not an endpoint, but a starting point. It provided clarity on priorities and momentum toward execution, with a shared understanding that excellence requires both discipline and intentionality.

The Finance Department is well-positioned to build on this momentum. With strong alignment, a committed faculty and a clear sense of purpose, we continue to advance our mission of forming highly capable, principled finance professionals who lead with both excellence and integrity.