Why Baylor University Is Breaking Headlines Today—5 Urgent Updates You Need to Know

Baylor University has secured a historic sweep in the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For® survey, landing on the coveted Honor Roll in all 10 measured categories—an achievement matched by only two other U.S. institutions this year. The private Christian R1 university in Waco, Texas, has earned Honor Roll status 14 times overall, but this is the first time Baylor has excelled across every dimension of workplace excellence, from compensation and benefits to shared governance and faculty experience. President Linda A. Livingstone called the recognition “a testament to our Christian mission, which requires us to pursue excellence in everything we do,” noting that the honor arrives during a challenging period for higher education nationwide. Key takeaways for prospective faculty, staff, and students: • Competitive benefits: Baylor contributes 10.8 percent to employee retirement plans and offers robust wellness, counseling, and spiritual-growth resources. • Inclusive culture: Employee Resource Groups and flexible well-being programs support belonging and work-life balance. • Strong leadership: Surveyed employees voiced high confidence in senior leadership and supervisor effectiveness. Cheryl Gochis, vice president for human resources, credited ongoing feedback loops with driving continuous improvement: “Their voices shape the caring community we strive to foster.” ModernThink, which administers the national survey, emphasized that institutions with high trust and support unlock “creativity, dedication and resilience” essential for today’s academic landscape. Founded in 1845, Baylor enrolls more than 20,000 students across 12 academic divisions and continues to expand its research footprint while prioritizing Christ-centered values and employee well-being. The full 2025 Honor Roll list appears in The Chronicle of Higher Education and at GreatCollegesList.com, underscoring Baylor University’s position as one of the best colleges—and best workplaces—in the nation.