Vice President Sharra Hynes
Sharra Hynes, Ph.D. leads a comprehensive student affairs division dedicated to enhancing students’ educational, spiritual, cultural, and physical development. As the senior student affairs officer and a member of the president’s council, she strives to develop and nurture partnerships that create a vibrant and seamless student learning experience and has direct responsibility for 15 departments and offices whose purposes focus on the design and delivery of high-impact services, programs and advocacy efforts for a student body of over 20,000. Leadership responsibilities include residential living, student union and activities, fraternal organizations, leadership development, new student orientation, health center, counseling center, community service, campus recreation, spiritual life, student conduct, wellness, addiction recovery center, multicultural affairs, and assessment.
Dr. Hynes came to Baylor from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she served for seven years. She has also served in professional roles at Texas A&M University, Houghton College, and George Fox University. She earned her undergraduate degree from Houghton College, her master’s degree from Alfred University, and her Doctor of Philosophy from Texas A&M University. She has extensive experience in student engagement, new student orientation, leadership development, Greek life, housing and residence life, volunteer & service learning, strategic planning, institutional assessment, and judicial affairs.
VPSL Office Functions
The Office of the Vice President for Student Life provides vision and leadership dedicated to excellence in reflecting the character and commitment of the vice president, facilitate information sharing and support through service to students and departments, and act as an advocate for students, staff, faculty, and the president.
Staff members in this office provide the following purpose-centric functions:
- Overall leadership for the division
- Collaboration with other departments and units of the University
- Advocacy for student issues and concerns
- Financial resources and special funding for special events
- Counsel and direction
- Assessment records for the division
- Graduate preparation program information
- What's New BU
- Assessment
- Mass and emergency communication
- Information about off-campus housing
- Special recognition programs
- Strategic planning and vision
- Advising student organizations and class officers
- Human resource coordination