For Faculty & Staff
We seek to support you in your international endeavors.
Do you want to:
- invite a visiting scholar from another country
- lead a Study Abroad and Away program
- network with other faculty & staff interested specific countries or regions
- recruit for Towson while you are traveling overseas
- connect your students with English language students for cultural and language exchange
If so, please contact us using the links above, by e-mailing us at TUInternational AT_TOWSON 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, Department of Kinesiology | College of Health Professions |
| 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 Associate Professor, Communication Studies |
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 | Associate 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 |
| Lyle Nash | Acting Director, English Language Center | English Language Center |
| Molly Mee | Secondary and Middle School Education | College of Education |
| Frances Ortiz | President, International Student Association | International Student Association |
| Tunde Oduntan | Assistant Professor, History | College of Liberal Arts |
| David Ownby | Associate Chair, Graduate Studies | Graduate Studies |
| Margherita Pampinella | Chair, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures | Languages, Literatures, and Cultures |
| 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 Associate Professor, Philosophy and Religious Studies |
International Studies |
| Roderick Waterman |
Assistant Vice President of 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 | Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee) |
| 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.