Trailblazer Scholars Program
The Trailblazer Scholars Program is designed to recognize the importance of fostering diversity and mutual respect at Baylor University. Students in the Trailblazer Scholars Program will participate in leadership and service opportunities through Baylor’s Multicultural Affairs Department and through other groups and programs on Baylor’s campus.
As part of Baylor’s commitment to listen, learn and take actionable steps regarding racial healing and justice in America, the Trailblazer Scholars Program also reflects the University’s mission to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.
Inaugural Trailblazer Scholars Cohort
Baylor University welcomed the inaugural cohort of 25 Trailblazer Scholars in September 2021.
Students in the inaugural Gilbert-Walker cohort are:
- Anu Agbi, junior, Houston, Texas, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Leadership
- Erin Babatunde, sophomore, Folcroft, Pennsylvania, majoring in Public Health
- Israel Beverly, sophomore, Beaumont, Texas, majoring in Public Health
- Maddie Brenner, freshman, Corpus Christi, Texas, majoring in Business
- Forche Bridges, senior, Fresno, Texas, majoring in Film & Digital Media with double minors in Creative Writing and Media Management
- Tiera Cleveland, senior, Jacksonville, Florida, majoring in Psychology
- Sophie Despres, freshman, Cypress, Texas, majoring in Pre-Nursing
- Sophie Geiger, freshman, Dallas, Texas, majoring in Pre-Nursing with a minor in Business Administration
- Morghan Golloher, freshman, Overland Park, Kansas, majoring in Medical Humanities and minoring in Business Administration
- Simone Henry, freshman, Katy, Texas, majoring in Neuroscience
- Logan Jackson, sophomore, Fairview, Texas, majoring in Psychology
- Victoria Jackson, freshman, Grand Prairie, Texas, majoring in Business Entrepreneurship with a minor in Apparel Merchandising
- Eric Jaramillo, freshman, Corpus Christi, Texas, majoring in Biology
- Peyton Johnson, freshman, Lantana, Texas, double majoring in Physics and Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics
- Berg Guillaume Jones, freshman, Dallas, Texas, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in either French or Leadership
- Dalshawn Jones, senior, New Orleans, Louisiana, majoring in Sociology with a minor in International Studies
- Connie Mendoza, senior, McGregor, Texas, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Stephanie Mendoza, junior, Waco, Texas, majoring in Accounting
- Hailey Minn, freshman, Frisco, Texas, majoring in Business
- Sam Onilenla, senior, Aurora, Colorado, majoring in Management and Marketing
- Ana Robles, freshman, Maui, Hawaii, majoring in Pre-Med Biology with a minor in Child Development
- Lydia Samuel, junior, Dallas, Texas, majoring in Nursing
- Genesis Santos, freshman, Waco, Texas, majoring in Elementary Education
- Makayla Williams, freshman, Humble, Texas, majoring in Professional Writing and Rhetoric and minoring in Corporate Communications
- Lauren Young, junior, Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Biology and minoring in French
About the Gilbert-Walker Cohort
The inaugural Gilbert-Walker cohort of Trailblazer Scholars is named in honor of Baylor's first Black graduates Rev. Robert Gilbert (BA ’67) and Mrs. Barbara Walker (BA ’67).
Barbara Walker (BA ’67)
Barbara Walker is known throughout the Baylor Family for her significance in the University’s history as Baylor’s first Black female graduate.
After graduating from Baylor with a degree in sociology, Walker spent 32 years as a licensed clinical social worker, and led the state of California’s Department of Mental Health’s inpatient and outpatient mental health programs for a number of years. She oversaw inpatient and outpatient services for the California Department of Mental Health, helping patients transition from state hospitals into homes and jobs. Her work was responsible for three decades of patients finding the help that was right for them and receiving assistance to transition back into jobs and the community after treatment.
Although her career took her far away from Baylor, she has returned many times to share her experiences with Baylor students. In 2017, Walker was named a recipient of the Baylor Alumni Medal of Service Award for her dedication to advancing her field and making significant impacts in our world.
Rev. Robert Gilbert (BA ’67)
The late Rev. Gilbert — an influential educator, pastor and civil rights leader in the Waco area — graduated from Baylor in 1967 with a B.A. in history. In 1970, he became the first African American to enroll in Baylor’s graduate program in the department of religion. During his time in that program he became assistant director of the university’s Upward Bound program, which helps high school students from low-income families prepare for college.
In 1976, Gilbert became the first African American elected to the Waco Independent School District Board. He also was a champion of women in ministry, being the first African American Baptist pastor to license a female minister.
In September 2020, the department of religion in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences announced the establishment of the Robert L. Gilbert Scholar in Religion Graduate Stipend. The Gilbert Scholar in Religion will receive an annually enhanced stipend of $6,000 above the base stipend of $20,000, with full tuition remission for up to five years (a package of about $250,000 over that period).
Support the Trailblazer Scholars Program
The University committed $5 million in scholarship support at the program’s launch in July 2020, and since then, the Baylor Family collectively has given more than $2 million in gifts and pledges.
Active involvement of alumni and and friends will help us meet the goal of providing 80 or more students renewable scholarship support through Trailblazer Scholarships.
Apply for the Trailblazer Scholars Program
Baylor’s incoming freshmen, as well as upper-level students, who demonstrate a commitment to advancing racial equality, diversity and a sense of belonging are welcome to apply. Each year 20 students will be named Trailblazer Scholars, and the program will grow to include 80 or more students.
Students in the Trailblazer Scholars Program will participate in leadership and service opportunities through Baylor’s Department of Multicultural Affairs and through other groups and programs on the University’s campus. Scholarship funds will be awarded annually and are renewable to students who maintain a 2.5 GPA and are actively committed to conversations and initiatives advancing racial conciliation on Baylor’s campus and throughout the nation.
