Alumna Spotlight: Lauren Jarvis (BA, ’23)
When Lauren Jarvis arrived at Baylor as a first-year student, she was uncertain about where her path would lead. What she found in the Honors College, particularly through the University Scholars program, set her on a course that would eventually take her across the Atlantic as a Marshall Scholar.
“One of the things I loved about Baylor, especially the Honors College, was that it offered an academic environment that was both rigorous and deeply human,” Jarvis said. “It wasn’t just about what I wanted to do; it was about who I wanted to become.”
Jarvis chose the University Scholars program for its flexibility and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. With the ability to tailor her coursework, she structured each semester around a central theme, such as social justice or international development, drawing on courses across departments to explore complex global issues from multiple angles.
“Each semester, I would give myself a theme and try to build a course load that explored that topic from multiple perspectives,” she said. “It gave me space to think creatively and holistically.”
Over time, Jarvis developed a deep interest in humanitarianism. Encouraged by Honors College faculty and Dr. Andy Hogue from Baylor’s Office of Engaged Learning, she began exploring postgraduate fellowships and international opportunities.
“I didn’t know about the Marshall Scholarship until my junior fall,” she said. “Dr. Hogue told me about the opportunity and encouraged me to apply. I knew I wanted to be engaged internationally, either by working in D.C. or by going abroad. The Marshall felt like a natural fit.”
Jarvis was selected as a Marshall Scholar following her graduation from Baylor in 2023. She began her postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics, where she earned a master’s degree in international development and humanitarian emergencies. She is now continuing her academic journey at the University of Cambridge, where she is an M.Phil. candidate in Religion and Development.
“The Marshall has been incredible,” Jarvis said. “It has given me time to reflect, travel, and build relationships with people from all over the world. You’re exposed to so many different perspectives, both in class and through conversations with your cohort.”
Her experience in the UK has helped clarify her future plans. She hopes to pursue a career in humanitarian coordination and logistics, work that requires the kind of cross-disciplinary thinking she honed as a University Scholar.
“Baylor helped me ask the right questions—about people, justice, faith, and service—and the Honors College gave me the space to explore answers with humility, depth, and purpose,” she said. “Humanitarianism is about people, and everything I learned in the Honors College taught me to keep people at the center of everything I do.”