Baylor has named Michael K. McLendon, Ph.D., as the university's interim provost.
McLendon earned a B.A. in political science from Baylor in 1991. He continued his studies, earning an M.S. in higher education from Florida State University and his Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Michigan.
McLendon has held the position of dean of Baylor’s School of Education since July 2015, as well as a faculty appointment as the Fred and Edith Hale Endowed Professor in Higher Education Leadership and Policy.
“I am thrilled and humbled by President Livingstone’s invitation to serve as interim provost at this time of new beginnings in the life of the University we cherish,” McLendon said. “My experience as an undergraduate at Baylor transformed my life, putting my feet on a path toward the study of and service to universities. Some 30 years later, I’m honored to partner with President Livingstone and her senior leadership team in cultivating an environment at Baylor that supports our continued progress toward being a top-tier research institution and one that promotes academic excellence and faith development at the highest levels.”
Before joining the Baylor faculty, McLendon held the Harold and Annette Simmons Endowed Centennial Chair and served as the academic associate dean at Southern Methodist University’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development. His career also includes time as the executive associate dean, undergraduate dean and chief of staff at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. At Vanderbilt, McLendon taught public policy and higher education for 13 years.
“We are blessed to have such a noted higher education scholar on the Baylor campus who can immediately step in and serve the University as interim provost during this important time of transition,” Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone said. “Dr. McLendon fully understands the role of the provost, as his scholarly work has focused extensively on postsecondary governance, finance and policy. His knowledge of and familiarity with Baylor, as an undergraduate and Dean, are certainly an added benefit.”
McLendon will start his new position on July 1.
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