Recognition honors faculty members for excellence in innovation, research and academic leadership.
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.
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.