Who is Saralyn McKinnon-Crowley from Jeopardy? Assistant Professor’s Age, Job, Family & More
Dr. Saralyn McKinnon-Crowley is an assistant professor specializing in Higher Education Studies and Leadership, currently based in Waco, Texas, at Baylor University. She also serves as affiliate faculty in Women’s and Gender Studies within the Baylor College of Arts & Sciences. Her academic work focuses on the experiences of higher education staff, financial aid policies, community colleges, student transfer, and gender dynamics within the academy. McKinnon-Crowley is recognized for her qualitative and post-qualitative research approaches, though she also engages in mixed-methods studies published in leading journals such as the Journal of Higher Education and the Journal of College Student Development. Her work emphasizes translating research into practical strategies that enhance inclusion, belonging, and equity for students and staff.
Her professional journey in higher education began with her role as a Resident Assistant in 2007 and has evolved to encompass teaching, research, and service. At Baylor University, she teaches courses in higher education business and finance, law, and educational policy. McKinnon-Crowley has earned recognition for her research contributions, including the NASPA Center for Women Ruth Strang Research Award in 2019. She actively serves on editorial boards for the Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education and the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice. Her leadership extends to professional associations, notably as Co-Chair of the Research and Scholarship for the Womxn in Student Affairs Knowledge Community at NASPA.
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Professional Experience and Academic Trajectory
Before joining Baylor, McKinnon-Crowley held significant positions that shaped her expertise. She was a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Institute of Technology and an Education Program Manager at Northwestern University, engaging in ethnographic research, coordinating workshops, and mentoring undergraduate researchers. Earlier, she gained experience as a research assistant and graduate assistant at the University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University Bloomington, focusing on student affairs, academic integrity processes, and community building in campus housing. These roles contributed to her depth of knowledge in student development, policy analysis, and institutional effectiveness.
McKinnon-Crowley’s educational background is comprehensive and interdisciplinary. She earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021, following a Master of Education in College and University Student Personnel Administration in 2017. She also holds a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Linguistics from Indiana University Bloomington, where she graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. This combination of advanced study and interdisciplinary scholarship underpins her research and teaching in higher education leadership.
Personal Life and Interests
Outside of her professional life, McKinnon-Crowley enjoys playing board, card, and video games, as well as baking. She is a Ruling Elder at Genesis Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, and maintains connections to her Midwestern roots, originally being from Indianapolis, Indiana. Her commitment to service extends into her academic work through mentorship, volunteer engagement, and active participation in professional communities. These pursuits highlight a balance between personal interests, faith, and a dedication to fostering equitable educational environments.
Summary of Saralyn McKinnon-Crowley’s Profile
Dr. Saralyn McKinnon-Crowley exemplifies a scholar-practitioner in higher education, blending research, teaching, and service to advance equity and inclusion in the academy. Her work in financial aid, community college transfer, student affairs, and gender in higher education, along with her leadership in professional organizations, demonstrates a commitment to improving institutional practice and student experiences. Beyond her academic contributions, she maintains personal and community-focused interests that enrich her professional perspective and engagement.
