For Faculty & Staff

We seek to support you in your international endeavors.

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two students with faculty in classroom
Towson classroom

Do you want to:

If so, please contact us using the links above, by e-mailing us at or by visiting Psychology 408.

International Initiatives Committee

IIC’s Mission

The International Initiatives Office supports comprehensive global engagement at Towson University by advocating for the integration of international perspectives into the curriculum, the recruitment of international undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree students, and collaboration of faculty with international partners; serving international students and faculty, students who study abroad and away, and English language learners; supporting a diverse and inclusive campus; and developing a globally competent community.

Committee Members AY 2022-23 (Term length: 3 years)

Name Title Representation
Gashaw Abeza Associate Professor, Kinesiology College of Health Professions
Jennifer Ballengee Chair, Languages, Literatures and Cultures Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Geannine Callaghan Director, Strategic Initiatives & Foundation Relations Office of Development
Finn Christensen Associate Professor, Economics College of Business and Economics
Bartosz Debicki

Chair, Academic Senate

Professor, Management

Academic Senate
Mary Devadas

Associate Professor, Chemistry

Director, Competitive Fellowships & Awards

Competitive Fellowships & Awards
Colleen Ebacher Professor, Languages, Literatures and Cultures Co-Chair, Faculty Committee on Study Abroad & Away
Kelly Elkins Professor, Chemistry Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics
Greg Faller Associate Dean, College of Fine Arts & Communication College of Fine Arts & Communication
Gail Gibbs Director, International Student and Scholar Office

International Student & Scholar Office

Co-Chair, International Student Services Committee

Geoff Gordon Assistant Director, Athletics Athletics
TBD Associate Director, International Recruitment and Admissions University Admissions
Alice Klein Representative, Graduate Student Association  Graduate Student Association
Molly Mee Professor, Secondary and Middle School Education College of Education
Lyle Nash Director, English Language Center English Language Center
Tunde Oduntan Professor, History College of Liberal Arts
David Ownby Associate Dean, Graduate Studies Graduate Studies
Derrick Ozoemelam President, International Student Association International Student Association 
Margherita Pampinella

Director of Faculty Engagement at TU International

Professor, Languages, Literatures and Cultures

International Initiatives
Christopher Powers

Assistant Vice President for International Initiatives

Academic Affairs
Robert Rook

College of Liberal Arts Dean's Fellow for Study Abroad & Away

Professor, History

College of Liberal Arts
Liz Shearer

Director, Study Abroad & Away Office

Study Abroad & Away Office

Co-Chair, Facuty Committee on Study Abroad & Away

Erik Ropers

Director, International Studies

Professor, History

International Studies
Roderick Waterman

Associate Director for Pre-Award, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research

Office of Sponsored Programs and Research
Tang Yu

Representative, Student Government Association

Student Government Association

International Travel Advisory Committee (ITAC)

ITAC's Mission

The International Travel Advisory Committee (ITAC) is Towson University’s primary forum to enhance awareness about the issues, services and needs of faculty, staff and students traveling abroad. ITAC will recommend strategies to manage risks associated with international travel and will respond to travel advisory appeals per 03-13.00 – POLICY ON TRAVEL ADVISORIES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. 

Name Title
Cynthia Cooper Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Colleen Ebacher Co-Chair, Faculty Committee on Study Abroad & Away
Greg Faller Chair, International Initiatives Committee
Bruce Griffin Chief Compliance and Risk Officer 
Vernon Hurte Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Life
Alexei Kolesnikov Director of Undergraduate Research
Dawn Kuessner Business Travel Administrator
Chad Leo Director of Academic Affairs, Student Government Association
Christopher Powers  Assistant Vice President for International Initiatives
Desirée Rowe Chair, Towson University Academic Senate
Liz Shearer* Director, Study Abroad & Away Office
Heather Sorenson Chair, Towson University Staff Senate

*Director of the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) will serve as the back-up for the Director of Study Abroad & Away. They will also be consulted for the appeals of international students going on study abroad programs and international visiting faculty.