Meet this year’s Baylor Faculty-in-Residence

You’re probably familiar with Baylor’s mission: “to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.” One way we do that? By having Faculty-in-Residence (FIR).

These Baylor professors don’t just work on campus — they live on campus, too, in designated apartment-style homes inside most residence halls, along with their family. Their purpose is to foster students’ social, cultural, educational and spiritual life by encouraging community involvement and student interaction. That can mean everything from hosting fun events and socials to group Bible study classes to meeting one-on-one with students, even at odd hours. (Notably, 10 of the 15 are also Baylor alumni.)

Meet this year’s Faculty-in-Residence:

Alexander/Memorial Halls: Dr. Jason Whitt, BA ’96, PhD ’08. Whitt is a senior lecturer in the Honors Program who previously served as associate director of Baylor’s Institute for Faith and Learning. (Family: wife Maggie, MSED ’06, and two school-aged children)

Allen/Dawson Halls — Dr. Beth Allison Barr, BA ’96. The graduate program director in the Department of History, Barr teaches undergraduate courses on subjects such as medieval history and European women’s history. (Family: husband Jeb, BA ’97, and two school-aged children)

Brooks Flats Apartments: Dr. Scott Wilde. A FIR since 2015, Wilde is a senior lecturer in mathematics and faculty advisor to the Baylor Math Club. (Family: wife Shari and four children, including one current BU student)

Brooks Residential College: Dr. Rishi Sriram, BA ’01, MSED ’03. A FIR since 2013, Sriram spent eight years in higher education administration, helping launch and develop Baylor’s living-learning programs, before becoming a professor in the School of Education. (Family: wife Amanda, BS ’02, and three school-aged children)

Earle Hall: Dr. Devan Jonklaas, PhD ’03. Jonklaas is a senior lecturer in biochemistry and was voted by Baylor’s Class of 2015 as winner of the Collins Outstanding Professor Award. (Family: wife Hannah, BSFCS ’04, and four school-aged children)

Kokernot Hall: Dr. Nicole McAninch, BSW ’04, MSW ’06. A senior lecturer in child and family studies, McAninch is a leader of the Intentional Family Project, which aims to create resources that support and transform Christian family life. (Family: husband Chad and three school-aged children)

Martin Hall — Dr. Clay Butler, BA ’88. Butler serves as a senior lecturer in the English department, teaching linguistics courses such as Language in Society, Cross-Cultural Linguistics, and Modern English Grammar. (Family: wife Susan, BA ’89, and four children, including two current BU students)

North Russell Hall: Dr. Jennifer Good. A FIR since 2013, Good teaches German and is director of the University Scholars program in Baylor’s Honors College. (Family: husband George and two school-aged children)

North Village, Heritage House: Brian Elliott, BA ’84, MA ’90. A FIR since 2014, Elliott is a senior lecturer in the Department of Film & Digital Media and an award-winning producer/writer/director. (Family: wife Susan, BA ’86, and two college-aged sons)

North Village, Texana House: Dr. Candi Cann. Cann teaches such classes as World Cultures and Death and Dying in World Religions, for both the BIC and the religion department. (Family: One school-aged daughter)

North Village, University House: Dr. Robert Creech, PhD ’84. A FIR since 2013, Creech is the director of pastoral ministries at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. (Family: wife Melinda, PhD ’16, MA ’18, and three grown children)

Penland Hall: Dr. Kelli McMahan, BSED ’93. A FIR since 2016, McMahan is a senior lecturer in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation and one of the creators of Baylor’s Outdoor Adventure Line Camp and Outdoor Adventure Living-Learning Center.

South Russell Hall: Dr. Mona Choucair, BA ’86, PhD ’00. A FIR since 2014, Choucair is a senior lecturer in both the English department and School of Education, teaching such subjects as American literature and advanced grammar.

Teal Residential College: Brian Thomas. A FIR since 2016, Thomas is a senior lecturer in engineering and faculty sponsor of the Engineers with a Mission student organization. (Family: wife Martha, BSED ’81, MSED ’88, and two sons, including one current BU student)

University Parks: Dr. Bob Kane. Kane is an associate chemistry professor and director of Baylor’s Institute of Biomedical Studies, researching applications of synthetic chemistry in areas such as vaccine development. (Family: wife Deb and five children)

Sic ’em, Faculty-in-Residence!

You might also like:
* What do Baylor residence halls look like today? (Aug. 2019)
* Another sneak peek at Baylor’s Class of 2023 (July 2019)
* What do Baylor residence hall rooms look like today? (Aug. 2018)