Department of Finance

Message from the Chair

Dr. Joanne Li Chair and Professor, Department of Finance

Welcome to the Towson University Department of Finance! As an academic finance department, we teach analytical skills and financial models and nurture curious minds to become passionate about the social and economic welfare of the community. Striving for academic excellence, we cultivate a forward-thinking environment for students to grow professionally with an emphasis in ethical behavior. Upon graduation, our students are expected to be respectable corporate citizens, who bring common good to the global business environment.

The mission of the Towson University Department of Finance is to achieve excellence in teaching while offering students a curriculum that is based on leading-edge financial skills and techniques. We work closely with downtown professionals to build a curriculum that is responsive to the ever-changing economy. Recently, we decided to divide our Advanced Financial Analysis course into two separate courses: FIN350 (Financial Modeling in Corporate) and FIN351 (Advanced Corporate Finance). Both two new courses will focus on corporate finance topics with an emphasis on applying financial modeling skills.

We are also excited about our continuous efforts with the Baltimore CFA Society to publish the second issue of Baltimore Business Review. In this business journal, we are able to showcase some of our faculty's cutting-edge research.

In addition, we encourage students to participate in extra-curricular activities offered through the department’s student organizations such as the Towson University Investment Group and the Towson chapter of the Financial Management Association. Towson University Investment Group is a student-driven group that manages a portfolio of the Towson Foundation fund. FMA Towson Chapter provides one of the biggest network of students and professionals and houses the National Honor Chapter of the FMA.

Our department also provides different scholarships for academic excellence and leadership. In addition, through the support of the CFA Institute we provide CFA scholarship and mentorship program to qualified students. We emphasize on a close working relationship with professionals in the industry and believe in training students to be top-notch professionals through internships.

With a prolonged global economic downturn, many have lost confidence in our financial system. As such, prospective students might be dissuaded to attend business schools. We believe it is our responsibility as scholars, teachers, mentors and coaches, to help the community regain confidence in the market during one of the most challenging time periods in financial history. We welcome you to join us in a truly meaningful and wonderful learning experience. If you have any questions, please know that we are here to help you. Thank you for visiting us!

Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA
Chair, Department of Finance
College of Business and Economics
Towson University

Department of Finance
Stephens Hall, Room 314

Phone: 410-704-2465
Fax: 410-704-3454

Related Links
Baltimore Business Review

Financial Management Association

Towson University Investment Group