Past Schmeltekopf Fellows
Michelle Hunt, 2025-2026 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Dr. Sara Dolan
Michelle Hunt is a doctoral candidate in the Religion Department, with a concentration in Old Testament. She has a B.A. in Christian Ministry (University of Mary Hardin-Baylor), an M.A. in Biblical History and Geography (Jerusalem University College), and an M.A. in Theological Studies (Houston Christian University). Michelle’s research focuses on the compositional development of Joshua 18–19 and how later scribal initiatives may have been motivated by other literature in the Hebrew Bible, such as Numbers, Judges, and Chronicles. Before coming to Baylor, Michelle taught Bible and biblical language classes at a Christian high school in Houston.
Brent Nessler, 2024-2025 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Don Schmeltekopf
Brent Nessler graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a B.M. in Performance Studies in 2014 and an M.Div. in Theology from Baylor University. As of August 2025 he is a Doctoral Candidate in the Religion Department.
David Winkler, 2022-2024 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Don Schmeltekopf
David Winkler graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a B.A. in Accounting in 2015 and as of August 2024 is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Baylor’s Higher Education Studies & Leadership program and Director of Strategic Operations & Effectiveness for Baylor University Student Life. David's research and professional interests include Christ-animated student affairs, student faith and character development, assessment of student learning, ungrading, and Christian higher education at large.
Jake Randolph, 2021-2022 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Don Schmeltekopf
Jacob Randolph graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a B.A. in Religion in 2011 and completed his Ph.D. in Religion in August 2022. As Schmeltekopf Fellow, Jake was interested in both teaching at a Baptist university as well as participation in administration. Jake and his wife are the adoptive parents of two children.
Jonathan Stanfill, 2020-2021 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Lance Littlejohn
Jonathan Stanfill graduated from Carson-Newman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and minors in Physics and Military Leadership in 2011. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Army and served on active duty until 2015 in the 82nd Airborne Division and was promoted to the rank of Captain. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Mathematics at Baylor University and plans to graduate in 2022. Jonathan’s research is spectral theory and operator theory. He also has interests in applications of orthogonal polynomials and special functions to mathematical physics. Jonathan enjoys teaching and mentoring students interested in higher level mathematics, was a finalist nomination for Baylor’s Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award, has been a BCU Scholar since 2017, was accepted as a Conyers Scholar for the 2019-20 academic year, Schmeltekopf Fellow for 2019-2021, and as a Doctoral Administrative Fellow for Conyers and BSIR for the 2020-2021 academic year. Email Jonathan.
Russell Browder, 2019-2020 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell
Russ Browder graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. He also received a Master of Divinity in global missions from Baylor’s Truett Seminary and an International M.B.A. from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain as a Fulbright scholar. He received his Ph.D. in entrepreneurship from Baylor University in 2020, and his academic interests include commercialization of innovation and technology start-ups in emerging markets. During his 16 years of industry experience prior to pursuing a Ph.D., Russ served as a global marketing leader in health IT for GE Healthcare, in medical devices for St. Jude Medical (now Abbott), and in development with an international medical missions agency. Email Russ.
Joshua Pittman, 2018-2019 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell and Kim Kellison
Joshua Pittman graduated with a BA in English and history from Campbell University and with an MA in English from East Carolina University. At Baylor, he studies medieval literature and is in the religion and literature track. His dissertation uses the phenomenology of Jean-Luc Marion to explain why violence and peace are interdependent in the Middle English Brut. His work on the Pearl manuscript appears in the winter 2019 issue of Renascence. Less professionally, he is involved in translation projects (including St. Athanasius' On the Incarnation) for churches in non-English-speaking countries. He and his wife Krysta have a son, Elijah. Email Joshua.
Rebecca Poe Hayes, 2017-2018 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell
Rebecca Poe Hays graduated from Union University summa cum laude with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Biblical Languages. She then completed a M.Div. at Samford University and is currently pursuing her PhD in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Baylor University with an anticipated graduation in 2018. Rebecca’s primary research interests involve Old Testament parables and the rhetorical function of story in the Psalter. She has served in churches and non-profits in Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas and as the Associate Editor of the journal Perspectives in Religious Studies. Rebecca’s husband, Joshua, works as a researcher for Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion. Email Rebecca.
Jared Brandt, 2016-2017 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell
Jared Brandt graduated from Southwest Baptist University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religion/Philosophy and Chemistry. He is now pursuing his PhD in Philosophy at Baylor University. While at SBU, Jared participated in the University Honors program and served as President of Theta Alpha Kappa. He also received the 2012 Outstanding Theology Graduate award and Summa Cum Laude honors. Jared is the 2016 Schmeltekopf Fellow with the BCU Scholars program. Jared's philosophical interests include Ethics, Ancient Philosophy, and Kierkegaard.
Stephanie Peek, 2015-2016 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell
Stephanie Peek completed her Masters in Divinity degree at Truett Seminary in spring 2012 and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. degree in religion at Baylor. Stephanie graduated from Southwest Baptist University in 2008 with a double major in Biblical Studies and Psychology. As the daughter of a Baptist preacher Stephanie's family moved several times during her childhood, but she considers Mascoutah, Illinois, as her hometown. While at SBU Stephanie distinguished herself among the faculty and her fellow students by graduating Summa Cum Laude, earning membership in Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Chi honor organizations, participating in summer mission trips, and, as an SBU Ambassador, represented the President and the University by greeting visitors and hosting major University events. As a long-term goal, Stephanie plans to pursue the teaching of New Testament.
Courtney Bailey Parker, 2014-2015 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell
Courtney Bailey Parker completed her M.A. at Baylor University and was a doctoral student in Baylor's Department of English when she served as the 2014-15 Schmeltekopf Fellow. Originally from Newnan, Georgia, she graduated from Mercer University in 2010. Her primary research interests include the literature of the English Renaissance (including Shakespeare) as well as Modern Drama. Courtney is Assistant Professor of English in Greenville College’s Center for Visual Culture and Media Studies (Greenville, Illinois).
Scott Ryan, 2013-2014 Schmeltekopf Fellow
Mentored by Robyn Driskell
"I am thankful for Dr. Schmeltekopf's vital leadership in fostering the kind of Christian university that Baylor is today - one that strives to maintain top tier research while remaining in the Baptist tradition. His work over the years made it possible for me to enjoy the high quality of training I receive today."
Scott C. Ryan majored in Religious Studies at Gardner-Webb University where he received the Greek Award and the Christian Service Award. He also holds Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Duke University Divinity School where he received the Excellence in Bible Award. Scott is pursuing a Ph.D. in Religion (New Testament) at Baylor University with an anticipated graduation date of 2016.