Supporting Scholars

Gallagher Fellowship Invests in Faculty and the Future

by Rachel Carlson

When faculty excellence is supported, the entire academic community benefits. That’s the philosophy behind the newly established Gallagher Faculty Fellowship funded by Lisa Gallagher, BBA ’89. This generous gift is designed to attract and retain top-tier faculty, ensuring students receive the highest quality education. The fellowship provides critical funding to support faculty research during the summer months, allowing them to focus on advancing their scholarly work without financial constraints.

Mitch Neubert, PhD, senior associate dean for Research and Faculty Development, knows how essential faculty support is for research, teaching and shaping the student experience.

“Faculty fellowships allow us to deepen our research, enhance our teaching and ultimately provide students with knowledge that is academically rigorous and practically relevant,” Neubert said. “These investments help us continue to build a university that attracts exceptional educators and eager learners.”

Publishing research is a rigorous and competitive process, requiring time, resources and significant dedication. Many faculty members balance their teaching load with research demands, making summer funding essential for producing high-quality academic work.

“Research is an extensive process – it involves identifying the right data, designing studies, repeating experiments to ensure accuracy, and multiple drafts and revisions,” Neubert said. “Faculty spend years refining their work before submitting it to a journal. Once submitted, they undergo an intensive peer-review process, receiving anonymous feedback from experts within their fields, which requires thoughtful and thorough responses. From initial idea to being published, this process can take three to four years.”

Faculty fellowships provide financial support and signal a commitment to academic excellence. By reducing financial pressures, these fellowships enable faculty to develop innovative teaching methods, conduct groundbreaking research and mentor students more effectively. This fosters an enriched learning environment where students thrive under faculty deeply invested in their fields.

“This fellowship is designed to support faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to our Christian mission, teaching and research,” Neubert said. “It is intended for professors who are advancing their fields through scholarly work, particularly those who are published in elite, premier journals within their disciplines, while also actively engaging students and bridging academic theory with real-world application.”

For Gallagher, this commitment to faculty growth stems from her own experience as a student. Raised in a family business, she knew early on that she wanted a business degree but also valued broader experiences before returning to the family enterprise. Baylor provided faculty and academic opportunities that equipped her for success.

“I had professors who challenged me to think differently and broaden my perspective,” Gallagher said. “That’s what great faculty do – they push students to grow academically and personally. My hope is that this fellowship will ensure future students have that same experience.”

Having benefited from exceptional faculty herself, Gallagher understands that great educators are the foundation of a thriving academic community. Her fellowship ensures Baylor can continue attracting and retaining faculty who inspire and challenge students.

“I give to Baylor because it’s like my family. I want it to succeed,” Gallagher said. “It’s already a top-tier university with a strong Christian foundation, but we must ensure that Baylor remains a place where people want to be – both students and faculty.”

By investing in faculty excellence, Gallagher is investing in the future of Baylor’s students, ensuring the next generation of business leaders will learn from some of the best minds in the field.

“This fellowship provides faculty with the resources to pursue innovative research and bring those insights directly into the classroom,” Neubert said. “That’s how we create an education that is both cutting-edge and deeply meaningful for students.”

Gallagher’s gift exemplifies the significant impact dedicated alumni can have on shaping their alma mater’s future, demonstrating that faculty support is one of the most effective ways to elevate the quality of education for years to come.

“Through this support, we are able to recruit and retain faculty who will impact students for years to come, creating a ripple effect of knowledge, mentorship and innovation,” Neubert said. “Lisa’s generosity ensures that Baylor remains a place where academic excellence thrives and faculty can make a lasting difference.”