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 5 Questions With...
David A. Vanko
Dean, Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics
Q: What renovation plans are in the works for Smith Hall?
A: Smith Hall was built in two stages, in 1965 and in 1975. Practically all of its systems have lasted beyond their expected lifetime, and there are significant accessibility and building code issues that need to be fixed. Smith Hall's instructional labs are very 20th century -- unlike the modern instructional labs that we see at our peer institutions. Last year we completed a detailed study that proposes a new 100,000 square foot (sf) addition to Smith Hall, and a total renovation of the current 220,000 sf Smith Hall. The planning funds were suppose to be in the FY2012 State capital budget but were deferred to FY2013. It is crucial to add the planning funds back into the FY2012 capital budget to ensure necessary growth can occur in the STEM fields. The project may take as long as five years, but the outcome will be well worth it, and will serve Towson students, faculty and staff for decades to come.
Q: What are the plans for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) studies at TU?
A: The Fisher College of Science and Mathematics is the STEM college at Towson University, and all our majors are growing. From 2006 to 2010 the overall TU undergraduate population has grown 14%, but the number of STEM majors has grown 38%. And the number of Health Professions majors, who take multiple STEM courses, has grown 36%. These fields are attracting a disproportionate number of students because the degrees are so valuable. Basically, our plan is to provide an excellent STEM education experience to every hard-working student, whether they are majoring in the Fisher College or elsewhere.
Q: Is the Fisher College involved in the preparation of STEM teachers?
A: Absolutely! If you want to teach high school mathematics or science, you need one of our STEM degrees and, in addition, the secondary education courses provided by TU's College of Education. Our two colleges work closely on programs that lead to certification to teach math, biology, chemistry, physics, and earth-space science. But the number of students expressing interest in a teaching career is relatively small, at a time when the nation desperately needs more good STEM teachers. So we are redoubling our recruiting efforts, and we're also able to provide scholarships through our TU Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, funded by the National Science Foundation.
Q: What is the Hackerman Academy of Math and Science?
A: This is our most visible outreach program. Through a generous gift several years ago from Mr. Willard Hackerman, we established a STEM outreach program for K-12 school children and their teachers. Dr. Don Thomas, a former NASA astronaut who flew on four space shuttle missions, is the founding Director of the academy. Don's passion is to inspire the next generation of space explorers. And, because it takes literally thousands of engineers, scientists, mathematicians and computer scientists to send an astronaut into space, Don is capable of inspiring children to see themselves in a multitude of possible roles that require a STEM education.
Q: What makes the Fisher College special?
A: That's easy -- our people. Dedicated faculty members of every type (full-time, part-time), hard-working staff and, of course, brilliant students all make the Fisher College shine!
Towson University 2016
 Cultivating & Supporting STEM teachers
Funded by a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Towson University's Baltimore Excellence in STEM Teaching (BEST) Project aims to improve high school and middle school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. As part of Towson University's Center for STEM Excellence, the BEST Project offers training and mentoring opportunities to in-service STEM teachers as well as educational outreach to their students.
2016 Plan | Guiding Principles
New in the News
Read up on the latest higher education issues that have appeared in the news recently:
 Legislative Bills and Hearing Information
The following bills have been introduced to the legislature recently:
- HB 79 Task Force to Study the Creation of a Maryland Center for School Safety, Bill is in the House, First Reading Ways and Means
- HB 130 Vehicle Laws - Race-Based Traffic Stops, Bill is in the House, First Reading Environmental Matters, Hearing scheduled for February 8, 2011 at 1 pm
- HB 384 Gaming - Video Lottery Terminals - Repeal of Constitutional Amendment - Changes to Statutory Provisions, Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
- HB 401 Public Institutions of Higher Education - Tuition - Undocumented Aliens, Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
- HB 470 Higher Education - Tuition Charges - Maryland High School Students, Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
- HB 487 Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program -- Internships, Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
- SB 289 Higher Education - Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program -- Eligibility, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Hearing scheduled for February 16, 2011 at 1 pm
- SB 292 Institutions of Postsecondary Education - Falsified Transcripts, Diplomas, and Grade Reports -- Penalties, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs, Hearing scheduled for February 16, 2011 at 1 pm
- SB 311 Weapon-Free Higher Education Zones, Status as of February 2, 2011: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings, Hearing scheduled for February 10, 2011 at 1 pm
- SB 347 Task Force to Study the Impact of Adjunct Faculty on Graduation Rates at Historically Black Institutions, Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
For more bill information, please click here.
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