Bridgebuilding Fellows Program
The Bridgebuilding Fellows Program is a cohort model, one for students and another for staff and faculty, that serves as role models in the Baylor community and works toward making a positive difference in how we relate to one another to better engage across deep divides in polarized contexts. Those who part of the program are equipped to practice civil discourse by participating in bridgebuilding training that has roots in Interfaith America’s Bridging the Gap curriculum. Focusing on deep listening, storysharing, and navigating tension constructively, this training empowers participants to have conversations across lines of difference. In addition to programs and events, bridgebuilders participate and contribute to Civil Discourse Week.
To be a part of the Fall 2026 cohort, please contact intercultural@baylor.edu.
Bridgebuilding Fellow Program Leaders
Dr. Kevin Villegas, Dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division Initiatives
Dr. David Justice, Lecturer of Baylor Interdisciplinary Core
Andre Baesa, Lead Coordinator of Intercultural Engagement and Student Life Initiatives
Matt Hintzoglou, Senior Coordinator for Student Life
Emilee Eldridge, Graduate Apprentice of Intercultural Engagement
Sadie Bryant, Intercultural Engagement Intern, Junior majoring in ProSales
Zach Magno, Intercultural Engagement Intern, Senior majoring in Psychology/ Pre-Law Track
Faculty Fellows
Fall 2025 Cohort
Toby Brooks, Ph.D., Director of Academy for Teaching & Learning, Clinical Professor of Health, Human Performance & Recreation
Adrienne Cain Darough, Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History
Gia Chevis, Ph.D., Director of Innovation in Accounting Data & Analytics; PwC Professor of Teaching Excellence; Clinical Professor of Accounting & Business Law
Jane Damron, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Communication; Undergraduate Program Director; Affiliate Faculty in Women’s & Gender Studies
Ericka Dunbar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religion
John Duncan, Ph.D., Lecturer of Religion
Heather Hudson, Ed.D., Master of Athletic Training Program Director; Clinical Professor of Health, Human Performance & Recreation
Anne Jeffrey, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy
Jocelyn McGee, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Social Work
Min Pack, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Engineering & Computer Science
Mark Richards, Associate Director for Operations, Innovation, and Programs in Office of Engaged Learning
Student Fellows
Fall 2025 Cohort
Jana Al Barghash, Freshman majoring in Pre-Neuroscience
Milana Biswas, Sophomore majoring in Health & Science Studies
Michael Chung, Senior majoring in Political Science & Statistics
Josh Coe, Senior majoring in Communication
Lexie Dawson, Junior majoring Communication Science and Disorders
Luke Dragan, Senior majoring in Biochemistry
Rajiv Edara, Senior majoring Medical Humanities & International Studies
Emilee Eldridge, Graduate Student in the Higher Education & Student Affairs Master’s Program
Anni Harberts Ott, Sophomore majoring in Philosophy
Shajee Khan, Junior majoring in Medical Humanities & Biology
Olivia Knapp, Senior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Kondwani Masamba, Junior majoring in International Studies
Ali Matengula, Senior majoring in Biology
Wisdom Mitchell-Wells, Sophomore majoring in Political Science
Grace Nesrsta, Sophomore majoring in Medical Humanities
Julia Nguyen, Sophomore majoring in Biology
Nazam Okeudo, Junior majoring in Health & Science Studies
Val Otarawanna, Senior majoring in Neuroscience
Emma Risko-Juarez, Junior majoring in Health & Science Studies
Sasha Roberson, Sophomore majoring in Biochemistry
Anna Jane Vancor, Doctoral Student in the Higher Education Studies & Leadership Program
Veronica Yepes, Sophomore majoring in Professional Writing and Rhetoric & Statistics