Conyers Scholars Online Program

Building on the long-standing success of the Conyers Scholars Residential program, the Conyers Scholars Online Program launched in 2025–2026. Designed for Baylor’s online doctoral students and sponsored by the Graduate School and Institute for Faith and Learning, this program encourages and supports students who are interested in questions regarding faith, learning, and vocation.  The nine-month program is open to any full-time online doctoral students at Baylor and can accept 10–14 students each year. 

The program hosts intellectually rich discussions about faith, learning, and vocation as students are introduced to the writings of first-rate Christian scholars and professionals. 

"I am so thankful that Conyers was open to online students, as it made me feel more connected to the Baylor experience" - 2025–2026 cohort participant

Named in honor of A. J. "Chip" Conyers (1944-2004), a founding faculty member at Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the Conyers Scholars Online Program invites students to think of their career as a form of Christian service or vocatio, a religious vocation. The Conyers Scholars Online Program seeks to fulfill Baylor's mission to provide its graduate students an opportunity to prepare for worldwide leadership and service shaped by Christian commitment.  

"Throughout the Conyers fellowship, I realized that my professional life is a result of my faith, and I can share the love of our Lord through the little things." - 2025–2026 cohort participant

"This program provided an invaluable experience that I hope many more cohorts will have!" - 2025–2026 cohort participant

Pilot Results from the 2025–2026 Inaugural Cohort

The inaugural Conyers Scholars Online cohort included 10 online doctoral students from Baylor’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change, and Occupational Therapy Doctorate programs. Student feedback from the pilot year was strongly positive. Among final survey respondents (5 individuals), students reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and growth in connecting Christian faith with academic and professional life.

These results are based on final survey responses from the inaugural cohort. Additional pulse and mid-year surveys also indicated strong student engagement, meaningful conversation, and a growing sense of community across the year.

Qualifications for Entrance into the Program

Students must meet these criteria to be accepted into the program:

• Be a full-time online doctoral student at Baylor

• Meet high academic standards and demonstrate strong habits of study and research

• Demonstrate an active faith and interest in how this faith relates to learning and vocation

• Be able to commit fully to completing all readings before the meetings and come to the meeting ready to discuss them

• Be able to commit fully to all monthly meetings, including actively participating in discussions

Program Activities

• Monthly virtual meetings: Students meet with the online program leaders once per month on average in September through May to discuss assigned readings that focus on the relationship between faith, learning, and vocation. Special speakers will join some of these meetings. Because of the number of online programs, we cannot ensure that that meeting time will not conflict with scheduled class times or other obligations. Each year, we plan to alternate the times on which monthly meetings will occur so that, if a student cannot participate one year, they may be able to participate in a subsequent year.
• Readings provision: Conyers Scholars receive books and articles at no cost to themselves for use in group discussions.

2026–2027 Meeting Schedule & Themes 

Note: All times are Fridays, 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Central Time. Meetings are via Zoom.

For more information, check out these pages:

Frequently Asked Questions  Conyers Scholars Online Program Leaders