TU’s 2025 in Review 

As another year wraps up at Towson University, look back at the incredible moments that took place on campus, the innovative work being done by our students and faculty and how TU impacts the world as Maryland’s No. 1 Public University.

Here are just a few highlights from this year that made us #TUproud.

Educating the next generation of Tigers

Towson University is preparing the next generation both in the classroom and beyond. Undergraduate and graduate students alike are earning once-in-a-lifetime research opportunities that extend outside traditional coursework. From helping ensure local bodies of water are safe for consumption, to gaining hands-on experience in theatrical production through TU’s own Costume Shop, students have applied their knowledge in meaningful, real-world settings.

Along with traditional academic experiences, TU continues to expand access to unique educational pathways. These efforts include offering summer research opportunities in fields such as biology and cybersecurity, creating educational pathways for former federal employees and providing opportunities for students at local colleges to get easy access to graduate degrees.

Engaging with the community

Towson University constantly seeks ways to get involved with the Baltimore and Maryland communities. This year, TU launched a new partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, which also includes opportunities for students to connect with local professional sports teams.

Faculty and staff are also extending TU’s impact beyond campus. Professors hosted specialized archaeology workshops for local teachers, while TU librarians are leading a nationwide effort to identify, preserve and share thousands of Nazi-plundered texts before they’re lost to history.

A campus of innovation

Towson University continues to push the boundaries for what a college campus can be. TU partnered with former U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin to establish the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse. TU also launched a student-led organization dedicated to helping first generation students on campus, as well as Tigers Play Responsibly, TU’s revolutionary gambling prevention program.

Innovation is also happening in the classroom, through faculty research, including work by one faculty member who is helping fight childhood hearing loss. Other faculty members are teaching students that small crayfish have a big impact on Maryland’s ecosystem.

Keeping TU sustainable

Sustainability at Towson University has two meanings. The first focuses on environmental initiatives that support sustainable practices. One of TU’s most visible environmental traditions is Goats in the Glen, and the university was recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the top schools nationwide for environmental stewardship.

Sustainability also means making sure future generations can watch TU grow. This year, several academic programs reach milestones, with many exciting opportunities for the future. TU alumni and award-winning filmmaker, Mike Flanagan announced the Mike Flanagan cinema, which will be located in the future Smith Hall. The College of Health Professions also received a $1M gift to establish the first endowed professorship in nursing.

A campus of inclusion

No matter who you are, you can find a sense of belonging at Towson University. Through TU’s support systems, students like Alexandra Blandon, Yanfei Huang Wu and Alphonso Faltz have found their place while on campus.

TU works to make sure all students, faculty, staff and visitors feel seen and heard. The university was ranked No. 1 in North America for gender equality and received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight into Academia magazine. TU continues to build on that work through initiatives such as the Autism Hiring Program and the efforts of departments like Accessibility and Disability Services, which are helping make campus more inclusive.

Supporting the TU community

Students are at the heart of Towson University’s mission. That’s why TU continues to expand its support for the campus community. This includes the Career Center, which was ranked in the top 2% nationwide in connecting students to meaningful career opportunities.

TU has also taken steps to strengthen academic and student success by hiring its first vice president for academic success, expanding undergraduate research opportunities, elevating the voice of the Student Government Association, supporting students as they compete for national awards and creating opportunities for students to make a difference in Annapolis.

Support at TU extends beyond academics. Campus life continues to evolve with the introduction of new food delivery robots, which now traverse campus to bring food directly to students.