Living on campus is an essential part of the Baylor experience. The dorms are where many students form their initial friend groups, where they decompress after a long day of exams and, for many, it is the first place they call home independently of their parents’ house.
Baylor is aware of the highs and lows freshmen experience in their first year at Baylor and equips residence halls with staff that are prepared to help students navigate any circumstance they might encounter. Faculty in residence, professors who live in dorms alongside students, are one of these hidden gems in the on-campus living experience.
At University House, Professor Brent Phillips understands the unique task of creating an atmosphere of community among the 150 men who call UHouse home. Professor Phillips leads a wide range of community events, from leadership series, to mountain biking through Cameron Park, to building-wide breakfasts and game nights.
He gladly takes on the role of being present for anyone who seeks this extra level of engagement, and intentionally shows up for residents on every scale, both in one-on-one mentoring and in his famous building-wide events.
I work at the front desk of University House as an Office Assistant, and I will never forget one evening shift I worked during one of these events. Professor Phillips spent weeks planning an intensive zombie apocalypse themed scavenger hunt across all four floors of the building. The highlights of the night for me were seeing residents running past the desk laughing with their friends as they engaged in this event Professor Phillips had worked so hard in organizing, as well as seeing Mr. Phillips in his element right alongside the students.
Professor Phillips has also been a huge blessing in my life, although I never lived at University House. His face lights up when he sees me working the desk, and he sits down with me, often accompanied by his Labrador, Chief, and spends time hearing about my week and what I’m going through. He celebrates the highs with me, walks through the lows with me and offers wisdom at every point along the way.
I am thankful for the Faculty-In-Residence program, and even more grateful for Professor Phillips and all the ways he has encouraged me throughout my time at Baylor. I urge all students to make a connection with a faculty member at Baylor that goes beyond classroom instruction. At Baylor, we are blessed with faculty that make the extra effort to make students feel fully known and fully loved. Professor Phillips is one of many who is devoted to this mission.
By: Emily Anderson, BU Senior and Parent Engagement Intern
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