Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., is the 15th president of Baylor University, having served in that capacity since 2017.  During her tenure as president, Dr. Livingstone has overseen the development and implementation of two strategic plans—Illuminate (2018-2023) and Baylor in Deeds (2024-present). These strategic plans have provided a foundation for Baylor’s aspiration to become America’s preeminent Christian research university. In addition, she led Give Light, the most successful comprehensive fundraising campaign in Baylor history.  The campaign reached its fundraising goals well before its anticipated conclusion and raised over $1.5 billion for Baylor University.

Enhancing the University’s academic enterprise while strengthening its Christian mission has been a key priority for Dr. Livingstone.  As a result of her dynamic and collaborative leadership, Baylor was designated a Research 1 university in December 2021. Baylor is the only R1 institution with an explicit, primary identity as a Protestant Christian university.

Since Dr. Livingstone's arrival, the University expanded its motto by adding Pro Mundo (For the World) to Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana (For Church, For Texas). The change reflects a reinvigorated and explicit emphasis on Baylor's global impact. Through the generosity of the Baylor Family, Baylor has added more than 45 new endowed chairs to the faculty. The University has also renovated historic academic buildings and residence halls and built new facilities — including the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion and the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center — that have provided warm and inviting spaces for people to gather and deepen their connections to the University.

During Dr. Livingstone’s presidency, Baylor has cultivated an increasingly welcoming and nurturing community.  Baylor was named one of the country’s top 10 Most Trusted Universities in consecutive surveys from 2022 and 2023 by national research firm Morning Consult. Morning Consult also named Baylor the second-most trusted university by parents and employers. In addition, Dr. Livingstone has led the implementation of recommendations from the Commission on Historic Campus Representations designed to create a physical environment on campus that tells the complete Baylor story and celebrates the diversity of the Baylor Family.

During Dr. Livingstone’s tenure as president, Baylor has been named the top school in the Big 12 Conference, one of the top five universities in Texas, and one of the top 50 private universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings. Each year since 2022, Baylor has been one of thirteen or fewer schools ranked in the top 30 for both undergraduate teaching and undergraduate research. Baylor has also risen in such categories as Learning Communities (#6) and First-year Experience (#7). 

One of Dr. Livingstone’s deepest commitments is to strengthen Baylor’s Christian mission while maintaining the University’s historic Baptist roots. Data from the longitudinal Baylor Faith and Character Study have informed a number of changes on campus, including a redesign of our University Chapel program. Dr. Livingstone also commissioned a Spiritual Wellbeing Task Force that has developed new opportunities to nurture the faith of faculty and staff.

As an extension of her leadership on the Baylor campus, Dr. Livingstone has become a nationally recognized leader in college athletics. Since 2022, she has chaired the NCAA Board of Governors. She also chairs the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors and was chair of the American Council on Education Board from 2023-2024. Additionally, she serves on the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees and the Board of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.

Dr. Livingstone previously served as dean and professor of management at The George Washington University School of Business, as dean and professor of management at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, and as a tenured faculty member and associate dean of graduate programs at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business.

A native of Perkins, Oklahoma, Dr. Livingstone played basketball at Oklahoma State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and management, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in management and organizational behavior.  Her husband, Brad, a high school history teacher at Vanguard College Preparatory School, also played basketball at Oklahoma State. They have one daughter, Shelby, a former student-athlete at Rice University and graduate of Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, who now serves as an Assistant Volleyball Coach for Baylor University.