Page 21 - Baltimore County 2022 Quality of Life Guide & Business Directory

Q&A:
Dr. Melanie Perreault,
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Towson University
Towson University (TU) is among the nation’s top 100 public universities, and the second-largest institution in the renowned University System of Maryland. Originally
founded as a teacher’s college, TU has since become an academic powerhouse offering more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
How does TU ensure its degree programs meet the needs of employers? What are some of the most in-demand programs in recent years?
Perreault: TU is a workforce provider for our state and we work closely with our state’s leaders through the University System of Maryland to ensure we’re meeting the demands for our state. TU has seen significant growth in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, and during the pandemic, we’ve been proud to serve as the largest provider of undergraduate healthcare professionals to our state — serving the front lines directly through our College of Health Professions. Our programs in computer science and cybersecurity are nationally recognized for excellence, and we continue to lead the way in teacher preparation for the state. Students across all of our programs, including those in the liberal and fine arts, are highly employed
after graduation, with the majority staying in the state of Maryland throughout their careers.
Access to education by economically and demographically diverse populations is a perennial issue that has become even more pressing during the pandemic. How does TU ensure the most qualified students are able to take advantage of its offerings?
Perreault: Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our mission at Towson University, and as a result, we are one of only a handful of institutions in the nation with zero achievement gap — this means that our underrepresented student populations achieve the same academic success as the entirety of our student body. TU has been recognized as a national leader in inclusive excellence and social mobility.
Are there any recently established programs, facility upgrades or operational changes that you'd like prospective students to know about?
Perreault: Our new Science Complex is the largest academic space on campus and has been open for just over a year, offering state-of-the-art classroom, lab, research and study space. And across campus, the University Union has been expanded to fit the needs of our now 20,000-student campus, complete with meeting space, upgraded dining offerings and a theater. We have also broken ground on a new College of Health Professions building that will open in 2024 and will be one of the best facilities in the state to educate future health professionals.
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