TU 2020 is the evolution of Towson University’s two previous strategic plans, TU 2010 and TU 2016, and focuses their 46 action items on 10 institutional priorities. Each of the 10 priorities is aligned with potential funding opportunities from the state of Maryland, the University System of Maryland and the private sector. The 10 priorities are rooted in the liberal arts education as the base for all undergraduate programs.

• Faculty teaching/scholarship/research/service and staff commitment and development anchor the success of all 10 priorities.
• Undergraduate and graduate education serve the success of all priorities.
• Community outreach is a major component across priorities.
• Expanded interdisciplinary credit and noncredit experiences are threaded throughout the priorities.

Academic excellence and student success, the university’s top priorities, are dependent on the teaching and mentorship of faculty. In addition to all related academic programs, this priority includes grant competition, closing the achievement gap, seamless transfers, and retention.

Also within this priority is a focus on academic transformation: Through academic transformation and course redesign we will provide multidimensional support to faculty as leaders in teaching, scholarship and service.

Towson University’s historic reputation in teacher education primes it to lead the nation as a model of best practices in teacher preparation and school leadership. Excellence and innovation in STEM, course redesign, arts integration, and special education will transform the future of the pre-K through 12 academic model for the youth of Maryland and the nation. Through academic transformation we will provide multidimensional support to enhance the talents of university faculty as leaders in teaching, scholarship and service.

Towson University is a major contributor to Maryland’s work force. We will reinforce and expand our contribution to work-force development in STEM fields such as cyber security and teacher preparation.

Towson University’s applied research approach facilitates collaborations and strategic partnerships with key community stakeholders. This allows us to fulfill our mission to educate students while serving and meeting the needs of the state and region. We will continue to support and connect our faculty, staff and student applied research to innovation and entrepreneurship that promotes economic development and addresses social issues.

Towson University encourages and supports experiential study and interdisciplinary programs that connect learning, artistry and research to the work force through real-life experiences. Towson will expand its emphasis on internships and experiential learning and significantly increase corporate, educational, government and health care partnerships to help provide internships for Towson students.

Towson University supports personal and professional growth through developing and understanding leadership philosophies and styles. We will be nationally known for our emphasis on leadership development and build on a firm base to increase credit and noncredit opportunities for faculty, staff and students.

Towson University fosters an educational environment that supports success for all of our students. Towson will further strengthen its commitment to diversity and continue to provide a safe, inclusive, welcoming and peaceful community that is respectful to all. Towson will work to be recognized as a national model for diversity and closing the achievement gap.

As a major educator of health professionals, Towson University is dedicated to the whole person—mind and body. Towson will seek to help guide its students, faculty, staff and community to make safe, healthy choices. Towson seeks to enable people to live their best lives and be good stewards of our natural resources.

Towson University is committed to a financially stable, compliant and competitive athletics program. We will continue to support these goals by placing academics first and reinforcing the value of educating the whole person through leadership initiatives. This provides our student-athletes every opportunity to achieve both academic and personal excellence and success.