2026-27 Schmeltekopf Fellow

Jordann Heckart has been selected as the 2026-2027 Schmeltekopf Fellow in the BCU Scholars program.   Jordann is a doctoral candidate in the History Department. Her research focuses on the contested religious liberty of colonial Baptist and Quaker women and their contributions to disestablishment. She has a B.A. in Religion and Human Services (Carson-Newman University), an M.A. in Church History, and an M.A. in Theology (Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary). This past June, Jordann attended the 2026 IABCU Annual Meeting where she met university leaders from Baptist colleges and universities.  As Schmeltekopf Fellow, she receives a $2000 award and mentoring with an academic administrator and assists in planning events for BCU Scholars.

About BCU Scholars:

Baylor's Baptist College & University Scholars is a collaborative partnership program of the Baylor Graduate School, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities (IABCU) and IABCU Partner Schools. This program seeks to strengthen ties among IABCU member schools by identifying Baptist College and University Scholars from Ph.D. or MFA programs. To be eligible for the BCU Scholars Program, students must have attended a school (for their undergraduate or previous graduate degree) that is a member of the IABCU

About The Schmeltekopf Fellowship for Educational Leadership

The Donald and Judy Schmeltekopf Fellowship is a tribute to the life and legacy of one of Christian education's greatest advocates, Donald Schmeltekopf. Using his model, the program helps students understand academic leadership as a form of Christian service. The program supports gifted students who are interested in connections between faith and learning, and who are committed to Baptist leadership in higher education.