t o w s o n u n i v e r s i t y

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1 thinking outside Our Philosophy Towson University s approach to combining research-based learning with practical application connects the university to the broader community through mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations. Towson s partners benefit from innovative and forward thinking applied researchers, while Towson s students and professionals expand the university s reach and resources and simultaneously sharpen their skills with first-hand experience. Value and Quality t o w s o n u n i v e r s i t y Maryland s Metropolitan University As a metropolitan university with a well-developed applied research focus and a comprehensive liberal arts foundation, Towson University is uniquely equipped with the leadership, the vision, and the academic capabilities to address significant educational, economic development, and social issues facing business, government, and society today. A U.S. News and World Report Top 10 public institution in the north, Towson University is a nationally recognized public university known for its value and outstanding teacher quality in more than 100 bachelor s, master s and doctoral degree programs. The Princeton Review named Towson among its Top 50 Best Values in public universities in 2008, based on affordability, financial aid and academic excellence. The Corporation for National and Community Service named Towson University to the 2008 President s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in recognition for its commitment to service and civic engagement both on campus and in the nation. At the undergraduate and graduate levels, program development occurs in the arts and sciences, information technology, education, the health professions and business to fulfill our commitment to meet our students intellectual and cultural needs as well as the region s workforce needs. Maryland s Workforce Engine The institution s broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs responds to the diverse requirements and demands and the region s workforce. As Maryland s second-largest public university and with more than 80 percent of Towson graduates employed in the state, Towson is Maryland s workforce solution. Towson s student population is more than 21,000 and will reach 25,000 students by White Papers Towson University is committed to educating the diverse students who will become our region s nurses, scientists, teachers and business professionals. The following white papers reflect Towson University s assessment of the educational and employment demands in six critical areas as well as our response to resolving them. Nursing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Teacher Education Business Health Sciences Minority Opportunity and Achievement

2 Enrollments in Towson University s Department of Nursing, a major producer of nurses in the state, have seen a steady incline over the last 4 years among nursing majors and pre-majors. nursing Many higher education institutions today cannot accommodate the strong interest in nursing programs due to limitations and constraints in resources. Insufficient master s and doctoral-level faculty, clinical placement sites and classroom space, are just a few of the contributing factors in the decline in enrollments and ultimately the nursing shortage. Towson University stands ready to meet the region s healthcare needs with baccalaureate nursing programs as well as the academic resources and facilities required to run competitive programs. Towson University continues to address the shortage of nurses in the region by expanding our programs to satellite locations in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Hagerstown and Harford, Montgomery, and Prince George s counties. Towson University s Master of Science degree program in nursing prepares graduates to assume key roles in the delivery of health care within a community-based nursing practice, in nursing education, or in transition from clinician to administrator. Number of Undergraduates Enrolled in Nursing Programs Undergraduates Fall Enrolled Fall Towson University collaborates with nursing and health care professionals in the health care system, businesses, other high education institutions and all levels of government. Two of those collaborations include: St. Joseph s Medical Center Cardiac Rehab Program with Wellness Center Baltimore County Department of Aging through staffing and operating fitness and senior centers throughout the county Source: MHEC Enrollment Trends by program, EIS Partnerships give Towson University the momentum to increase focus on nursing school enrollments at the baccalaureate level and the capability to provide future nurse faculty as well as RNs that can enter the workforce immediately. To address physical resources needed, Towson University s ten-year Campus Master Plan includes plans to build a new 125,000-square-foot College of Health Professions Building. The building is a state-supported capital construction project and is estimated to cost approximately $50 million. Towson University is prepared to be a partner in removing barriers to pursuing a nursing education for prospective students and is committed to encouraging professional practice and instruction of nursing.

3 Towson University s Department of Chemistry offers the only Bachelor of Science program in Forensic Chemistry in the State of Maryland. Towson University partners with area K-12 schools and community colleges to build a STEM pipeline to address the region s current and future needs, particularly with the influx of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related job opportunities in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. 50/50 Towson University enrolls as many women as men in STEM majors. Source: EIS, Fall 2008 stem The Willard Hackerman Academy of Mathematics and Science, established in 2006 through a generous gift from Willard Hackerman, president and CEO of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., aims to attract more students into STEM majors and to energize and prepare future and existing teachers who teach in middle and high schools in these needed disciplines. Former NASA astronaut Donald A. Thomas, Ph.D., is director of the academy. The U.S. Department of Labor s 2007 STEM Workforce Challenge report stated that the nation s economic growth and global competitiveness relies heavily on its ability to generate and retain an adequate supply of skilled workers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Towson University is committed to promoting awareness, providing access, supporting learning and successfully graduating students studying in STEM fields. STEM will provide the core technological foundations of a successful society in the 21st century. The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics receives annually nearly $3 million in external grants and contracts to support pure and applied research and curriculum development. Towson University s Center for Homeland Security (CHS) recently received $268,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor for a proposal for a Statewide Internship Center that provides a larger pool of highly qualified, prescreened interns, graduates and applicants for governmental, non-governmental and private industry employers; mitigates skill gaps for new employees; facilitates and accelerate security clearances; and provides employers with candidates with in-demand skills. Towson is working with Anne Arundel Community College to create blended learning opportunities to offer master s programs in Homeland Security and Applied Information Technology (AIT). Towson developed the master s in Applied Information Technology to address BRAC needs in Harford County. The expansion and renovation of Smith Hall, the home of the Fisher College of Science and Math, will soon see a 200,000-square-foot renovation and a 50,000-square-foot expansion of much-awaited academic space that will increase the college s academic capabilities.

4 Founded in 1866, Towson University s College of Education is the oldest and largest producer of teachers in the State of Maryland. t e a c h e r e d u c at i o n The College of Education has assumed a leadership role in Towson s metropolitan university outreach program with Baltimore s Cherry Hill community. With the Cherry Hill K-12 schools as the springboard, Towson University responds to a wide range of community needs, from nutritional programs to financial planning. Towson University was named the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Christina McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Towson University s teacher education programs received full accreditation from the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the College of Education earned full program approval from the Maryland State Department of Education. The 110-school Professional Development School (PDS) Network received the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education s Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education (2008) and the National Association of Professional Development Schools Spirit of Partnership Award (2008). Through the PDS network teacher candidates receive hands-on training in the classroom and guidance from experienced mentor teachers. This approach significantly improves teacher retention, saves needed public education dollars and contributes to an improved learning environment for students. According the National Center for Educational Statistics, the search for high-qualified teachers is on nationwide, as some 2.2 million teachers will be needed in the next 10 years due to teacher attrition and retirement and increased student enrollment. Towson University, an established center for excellence in the teaching profession, is uniquely qualified to address discrepancies, lend support and offer solutions with a learner-centered approach. USM New Teacher Hires in Maryland School Districts Source: MSDE, October 2007 Towson is a center of excellence in the teaching profession and an academic clearinghouse for aspiring educational leaders and administrators, and will build upon its national brand and national distinction as a preeminent teacher education institution. Towson University is the largest and the best producer of quality teachers in the State. Towson is working to triple the number of STEM teachers in middle schools and high schools and will prepare teachers through professional development, retention efforts and the Professional Development School network. Similar emphasis will be placed in high demand areas such as special education programs. With a comprehensive slate of high quality, performance-based, professional education programs for initial and advanced preparation of teachers and education specialists, Towson will continue to increase its emphasis on first-time teachers and second-career teachers. The College of Education will also use innovative partnerships with public schools and customize curricula and training for educators that must respond creatively to the challenges of the 21st century.

5 Towson University s College of Business and Economics (CBE) is the largest undergraduate business school in Maryland, with more than 3,600 undergraduate students. Towson University is the only University System of Maryland institution with AACSB International accreditation for its business administration and accounting programs. AACSB is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor s, master s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting and the highest distinction that business schools can receive worldwide. Towson University is the only institution in the University System of Maryland with an undergraduate degree in e-business. b u s i n e s s With the bond between higher education and economic development gaining strength as a critical factor in the fate of the nation s economy, a Towson education continues to prepare future business leaders to excel in a global, competitive environment. Towson University works closely with businesses and employers to deliver a versatile, technologysavvy, and results-driven workforce. As Maryland s second largest public university and with more than 80 percent of Towson University College of Business and Economics graduates employed in the state, Towson is Maryland s business workforce solution. College of Business and Economics Alumni Employment Class of 2007 Source: Towson Alumni Survey, 2008 Towson University and the University of Baltimore partnered to create a joint Master of Business Administration to fulfill the region s demand for access to high-quality professional education. In fall 2008, 633 students were enrolled in the program, a 16.6 percent increase over fall The MBA program offers 11 areas of specialization and four dual-degree programs and includes an international focus with programs offered in Poland. Towson University s EDA center is working with the Federal Economic Development Administration to develop sustainable economic development programs through its partnership with the University Economic Development Association (EDA). These programs include the development of models and best practices for sustainable economic and community development. Towson University was selected through the competitive grant process to be an EDA University Center. Towson University s College of Business and Economics will be widely known as a premier college of applied business learning based on its core values of quality, access, responsiveness, productivity and branding. Through dynamic partnerships with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Maryland Council for Economics (MCE), and the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA Center, the College of Business and Economics will strengthen ties with business, nonprofit and government operations to develop programs and initiatives that promote economic and societal development. The College of Business will continue outreach programs such as the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research and the Maryland Council for Economic Education. As part of Towson s 10-year facilities Campus Master Plan, Van Bokkelen Hall and Stephens Hall, the home of the College of Business and Economics, will see an estimated $30 million renovation of more than 122,000 square feet of academic space with the addition of nearly 10,000 square feet and a connection between the two buildings.

6 Towson University has Maryland s only combined B.S./M.S. program in Occupational Therapy and the state s only Gerontology program. The College of Health Professions (CHP) enrolls more students in bachelor s and master s level health care and sport-related programs than any other University System of Maryland institution. The NBCOT (National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapist) pass rate for Towson University in 2006 was 91 percent while the national average was 87 percent. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Program is one of only two state-supported programs and the only program to provide the opportunity for students to do a clinical practicum experience in the on-campus clinic. h e a lt h s c i e n c e s The demand for physical and occupational therapists is greater as aging generations live longer and seek prolonged and improved quality of life. To address this need, Towson University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in health professions, and partners with health and wellness organizations. The Department of Health Science has the only program in Health Care Management certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. Through a generous $50,000 gift from Douglas and Therese Erdman, the College of Health Professions at Towson University established the Center for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CAASD) which will offer and evaluate model programs for addressing the needs of adults, primarily young adults, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Towson University offers Maryland s only Applied Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (Sc.D.) which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Towson s Bachelor of Technical and Professional Studies has given way to partnerships with area community colleges to develop degrees in nursing, EMT paramedic, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, radiation therapy tech, surgical tech, veterinary technology, and more. Undergraduate Health Professions Enrollment by Institution Fall 2007 Towson University s College of Health Professions will continue to be among the nation s leaders in offering a broad range of fully accredited health, wellness, and education programs that prepare graduates for health-related and sports-related careers. Two of our most far-reaching partnerships include: Towson Four Scholarship for incoming freshman majoring in one of the College of Health Professional programs Forbush School at Sheppard Pratt: Occupational therapy research study with young children with autism With autism being the fastest growing developmental disability, with a 10 percent to 17 percent annual growth rate, Towson University s Center for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders will build upon its current programs and focus future activities on work exploration, career planning, self-advocacy and applied research for young adults with ASD and their families. U.S. News & World Report named audiologist, nurse, physician assistant, occupational therapist among top occupations of Towson University s expansive undergraduate and graduate programs in these professions will continue to uniquely fulfill a niche of highly sought-after jobs. Towson s ten-year, Campus Master Plan includes plans to build a new 125,000-square-foot College of Health Professions building. The $50 million building is a state-supported capital construction project.

7 There is no achievement gap at Towson University as it relates to graduation and retention rates of African American students. Towson University s African American six-year graduate rate of 68.6 percent exceeds the university graduation rate of 66.2 percent. The two-year retention rate among minority students is 85 percent, which outscores the 82 percent two-year retention rate for all Towson students. minority achievement The U.S. is the only industrialized nation where youth have lower educational attainment than the adult population. Significantly increasing college success rates among low income and underrepresented minorities is crucial in addressing the education deficit facing our nation. Towson University s unique approach to eliminating the achievement gap is highly Six-Year Graduation Rate regarded and produces results that exceed the performance of Towson s peer institutions by nearly 20 percent. TU African Americans Overall TU Population Average of Peers 68% 66% 45% Towson University s Pathway to Success Plan, a model initiative, demonstrates that the racial/ethnic achievement gap disappears and racial/ethnic diversity improves when weighting high school GPA over SAT scores in admission decisions. Top Ten Percent Scholars Program provides scholarships and ongoing support to students from Baltimore City and Baltimore County public high schools who have completed a college preparatory curriculum and graduated in the top ten percent of their class. Nearly 500 Top Ten Scholars have participated in this program. These students are almost evenly divided between Baltimore City high schools and Baltimore County high schools. About half of Top Ten students identify their race as African American and about 38 percent identify themselves as white. As the campus community grows to reflect the diversity of the world surrounding us, Towson University will infuse curriculum and the campus environment with culturally responsive actions to foster broadened perspectives and high achievement for all members of our community. Towson will reduce time-to-degree for all students while continuing to increase minority graduation and retention rates. A widely recognized model for increased retention rates and elimination of differences in graduation rates through the Towson University Pathway to Success institutional plan, Towson will continue to promote its best practices in successfully easing the transition from high school or two-year colleges, addressing issues of financial security and installing an early intervention and academic support system. Towson University has always worked to guarantee the success of its students. Our metropolitan focus uses a hands-on approach to continue the slope of improvement for Maryland. As Maryland changes, so will Towson University.