Engelhardt Retires as SOE Dean

After nearly 40 years in higher education, Dr. Jon Engelhardt announced his retirement as dean of Baylor’s School of Education last summer. His tenure at the position he has held since 2007 ends with the conclusion of the 2014-2015 academic year.
“Jon was the first dean of the Baylor School of Education who came to us with previous deanship experience, and the School benefited from that,” said Dr. Doug Rogers, associate dean for undergraduate programs and student services.
Prior to his appointment at Baylor, Engelhardt served for 20 years as an education dean at three universities — University of Texas at El Paso, Northern Arizona University and Wichita State University. He also served 15 years as both a faculty member and administrator at Arizona State. Each of those experiences contributed to his ability to advance Baylor’s School of Education.
“Jon elevated the School’s profile within the University, the state and at a national level because of his experience and his influence in all of those arenas,” Rogers said.
During Engelhardt’s tenure, great strides have been made on multiple fronts throughout the School. These efforts include establishing a Dean’s Advisory Council, strengthening partnerships between Baylor and public schools, organizing the Greater Waco Area Superintendents group and developing a host of new graduate and undergraduate programs.
Earlier this year, Baylor’s School of Education was ranked 83rd nationally in the U.S. News and World Report rankings, up nine spots from the previous year’s rankings.
Engelhardt believes there still is work to be done, though, insisting that the School’s future is bright. He is most excited about the SOE being invited to participate as one of a small number of universities in a new project with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Built on the School’s current affiliation with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, this latest opportunity allows the SOE to become part of a Network Improvement Community to infuse “quality improvement” into school leader development and programs to prepare aspiring school leaders.
“While I am in great health, remain excited about all that we are doing — and can yet do at Baylor — and enjoy the challenges of Baylor, community, state and national leadership, there comes a time for each of us to move on to the next phase of life,” Engelhardt said upon announcing his retirement.
Baylor University is deeply grateful for Engelhardt’s years of service, his leadership and his many contributions to the field of teacher and school administrator preparation.