Recognition honors faculty members for excellence in innovation, research and academic
leadership.
CREATORS
The Big 12 Conference has recognized Stephen Bayne as Texas Tech University’s 2026 Faculty of the Year, honoring his outstanding achievements in research, innovation
and academic leadership. This award reflects Bayne’s contributions to engineering
education, student success and critical infrastructure security research.
According to the Big 12 Conference, this year’s 16 honorees “represent what makes
college campuses thrive as places of learning and growth” and highlight the broad
range of opportunities available across Big 12 institutions.
Big 12 Chief Impact Officer Jenn Hunter noted that the awards celebrate how faculty
“continue to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders” across diverse fields,
including the arts, business, engineering and the sciences.
Stephen Bayne
Bayne was selected by Texas Tech in coordination with university leadership and Big
12 Faculty Athletics Representatives. His recognition reflects ongoing contributions
to research, innovation and a commitment to advancing engineering education.
Before joining Texas Tech, Bayne worked extensively with U.S. Army research organizations,
where he held technical and supervisory roles focused on advanced power electronics
and directed‑energy technologies. In those positions, he led multidisciplinary engineering
teams, managed large‑scale research programs and contributed to national defense initiatives
through applied research and technology development.
After transitioning to higher education, he held several leadership roles at Texas
Tech, including interim dean of the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering and chair of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. His combined experience in federal research environments and academic administration
has positioned him as a leader in engineering education and applied research.
Bayne serves as vice president for national security and executive director of the
Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI) at Texas Tech, where his work supports the development of secure and resilient
systems that protect critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, communications
and national defense. Through collaborations with researchers, industry and government
partners, he contributes to applied research addressing complex cyber‑physical security
challenges.
“It is always great to be recognized by colleagues, and I am grateful for this honor,”
Bayne said. “This accomplishment would not have been possible without the dedication
and support of my staff.”
Bayne’s achievements also highlight the university’s growing role in addressing emerging
national challenges, security and applied research. By leading initiatives that connect
academia, industry and government partners, Bayne helps position Texas Tech as a key
contributor in these essential fields.
For more information about the Big 12 Faculty of the Year Awards and this year’s recipients,
please refer to the official announcement from the Big 12 Conference.