Grace Casper Receives Baylor Outstanding Staff Award for Excellence in Service and Leadership

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities is thrilled to announce that Grace Casper, the Center's program coordinator, received a 2025 Baylor Outstanding Staff Award. This esteemed university-wide recognition honors a select small group of staff members each year who go above and beyond in supporting Baylor’s mission through exceptional job performance, servant leadership, and contributions to both campus and community.

The award was presented April 29 by Baylor University President, Dr. Linda Livingstone in a heartfelt ceremony held at George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Casper was selected from a competitive pool of more than 150 nominations, each requiring detailed accounts of service that demonstrate outstanding achievement, alignment with Baylor’s mission, and a spirit of dedication to others. The Outstanding Staff Award recognizes those whose work exemplifies excellence and leaves a lasting impact on the university and beyond— providing the PLUS in the Baylor experience.

A Baylor alumna, Casper has continually proven herself through her positive attitude and genuine dedication to serving people in her midst. In her role at the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, Grace coordinates projects and events that directly support individuals with disabilities and their families, while also creating opportunities for Baylor students and faculty to engage in meaningful conversations. Her contributions touch lives on both an individual and organizational level.

Among her many contributions, Grace has:

• Led and coordinated impactful programming that advances the mission of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities and enhances Baylor’s reputation
• Modeled compassionate leadership in her daily work, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who engage with the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities both internally and externally
• Demonstrated Baylor’s Christian values through her consistent support of community members and colleagues alike
• Consistently exceeded expectations, often working behind the scenes to ensure the success of events, projects, and community outreach.

Her colleagues describe her as a "joyful presence," and "a deeply committed team player whose work enhances the success of everyone around her." Casper brings not only professional excellence but also warmth, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose to all she does.

“I am incredibly grateful to my team members who nominated me for this recognition” said Casper, “The work I do is only possible because of the incredible people I get to do it with. Thank you all for your trust, support, and partnership.”

The Baylor Outstanding Staff Award is more than a recognition of exemplary job performance—it is a celebration of the individuals who help make Baylor’s caring community thrive. Grace embodies the spirit of this award through her unwavering commitment to advancing the university’s mission of academic excellence, Christian values, and service to others.

Dr. Erik Carter— the Center’s executive director—said in a moving statement, “Grace brings a vision of communities where every member of the body is valued, needed and belongs. For us, that segment of the community is people with disabilities. She makes sure that every single event we do; every gathering we have, reflects that value and I think that is the core of what we are about at Baylor.”

Please join us in congratulating Grace Casper on this well-deserved honor. Her work continues to inspire, uplift, and transform, making her a true asset to Baylor, the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, and the wider community.