Interdisciplinary Welcomes Inaugural Students

January 29, 2025
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From left to right: Davidson Hubbard, Gracie Beard, Shannon Vivoda

The Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Students (MSIDS) has welcomed its first class of students to Baylor University. This inaugural class is eager to complete a degree that is customizable allowing them to choose their own path. Baylor’s MSIDS allows students to take course from multiple academic units to closely tailor their education towards their career and personal interests. We asked some MSIDS students to tell us a bit about why they chose this degree. 

Davidson Hubbard

  • As a student athlete, I chose to join the MSIDS program as it is a great opportunity to maximize my 5th year at Baylor allowing me to  balance academics and athletics.
  • I hope to gain many skills through the multiple disciplines taught, especially business, as I will be able to apply them to wherever I may be next year.
  • I am most looking forward to learning new ideas and skills that can be applied to everyday life and work once I leave Baylor and continue on my next venture.

Gracie Beard

  • I chose the MSIDS program because it is flexible and allows me to combine my passions for cross-cultural communication and program development infields like social work and the humanities. 
  • I aim to deepen my expertise in designing and leading transformative programs, sharpen my leadership and communication skills, and gain innovative tools for diversity, equity, and inclusion. These skills will allow me to make a meaningful impact in higher education, nonprofits, and global community initiatives.
  • I’m most excited about collaborating with a diverse group of faculty and peers, tackling real-world challenges through interdisciplinary lenses, and applying my knowledge to my current professional projects like study abroad initiatives, community education programs, and advocacy for cultural understanding.

Shannon Vivoda

I chose to join this program because it has a variety of class options that can help me in whatever career I choose whether it’s business, entrepreneurship, social work, or seminary.

  • I hope to gain more knowledge and tools that I can utilize in my future. I also am excited to take classes that are different than anything I’ve taken before and can learn different things that may be outside of my “comfort zone”.

  • Something I especially look forward to is the ability to network with classmates and professors who can be vital mentors as I progress through the program and my life.