Meet the new deans of Baylor Arts & Sciences and Nursing
Earlier this month, Baylor announced the hiring of two new deans, each of whom will begin their new roles this summer.
Dr. Tanya Sudia (pictured above right) returns to Baylor on June 1 as dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing, while Dr. James Brockmole (above left) comes to Baylor on July 1 as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. They follow in the footsteps of Dr. Linda Plank (nursing) upon her retirement, and Dr. Lee Nordt (A&S) as he returns to the classroom.
Sudia isn’t new to LHSON, having served as associate dean from 2014-19 before going on to serve as dean of nursing at Augusta University (the state of Georgia’s largest public university nursing program) and interim dean of nursing at UT Arlington. A fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice, Sudia was a practicing neonatal ICU nurse and transport team member before moving into higher ed at Emory, Mercer, Augusta and UTA.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Tanya Sudia back to Baylor University as dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing,” says Provost Nancy Brickhouse (BA ’82). “Dr. Sudia brings successful experience as a nursing dean at two institutions, one of which is in Texas. She knows the profession of nursing very well and is committed to the distinctiveness of the education Baylor provides for nurses. Committed to our mission as a Christian R1 university, Dr. Sudia will be a great partner to campus leaders as well as to healthcare providers in Dallas and throughout Texas.”
“I am honored and blessed to return to Baylor as the next dean of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing,” says Sudia. “I look forward to continuing the trajectory of notable accomplishments by Dean Plank with an exceptional team of faculty and staff colleagues. Collaboratively, we will develop a bold strategic plan, aligned with our unique Christian R1 institutional mission, to achieve the next level of excellence for the LHSON.”
Brockmole comes to Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences from Notre Dame, where he has taught psychology since 2009 and served as chair of the Department of Psychology since 2023. He previously worked at Michigan State and the University of Edinburgh. He is also an active and highly cited researcher whose work focuses on the cognitive mechanisms underlying attention and memory.
“While at Notre Dame, James Brockmole has been a builder and innovator, and his track record as both a researcher and as an academic leader is remarkable,” says Brickhouse. “His vision and unique experience will ensure Baylor is well-positioned to prepare students for the future through the excellent work of the faculty and staff in the College of Arts & Sciences.”
“I am honored to serve as the next Dean of Baylor’s College of Arts and Sciences,” says Brockmole. “I believe faith-based universities are well positioned to address the world’s biggest challenges by blending rigorous inquiry with a deep sense of moral purpose and a commitment to human flourishing. The focus is not only on how the world works, but also why the world matters. I am excited to join Baylor’s vibrant community to help advance its academic goals, distinctive Christian mission and vision for the future. I am especially looking forward to getting to know the faculty, staff and students as we work together to expand knowledge and serve the greater good locally, nationally and globally.”
Sic ’em, Deans Sudia and Brockmole!