Towson University values diversity and fosters a climate that is grounded in respect and inclusion, enriches the educational experience of students, supports positive workplace environments, promotes excellence, and cultivates the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.
Towson University’s Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups are committed to supporting the personal and professional growth of faculty and staff members, as well as providing a connection to campus resources and leadership. Membership in the Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups is open to all faculty and staff members.
Towson University's Ally Training provides resources, tools, and strategies for supporting diverse communities.
Ally Trainings are offered throughout the year and are open to all students, staff and faculty. Topics include LGBTQ+ terminology, pronouns, bias, discrimination, and strategies for allyship.
Upcoming Ally trainings are listed below. If interested, please register using the link provided. Direct Questions to 410-704-0203 or diversitytraining AT_TOWSON.
| Date | Time | Location | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 13 | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm | WC 304 | February Ally Training Registration |
| Mar 10 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | TBD |
March Ally Training Registration |
| Apr 17 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | TBD |
April Ally Training Registration |
We value shared governance to advance and implement diversity initiatives and institutional priorities for inclusive excellence. There are various committees for students, faculty, and staff that represent inclusion and diversity initiatives across the campus.
Students, faculty, and staff will be able to indicate their Chosen / Preferred Name even if they have not changed their Legal Name.
The Courageous Conversations Conference is an opportunity to elevate racial consciousness and understand how race affects your students' lives and classroom practice. The conference is uniquely designed for campus and civic leaders, educators, and administrators to deepen individual and organizational racial literacy.
In November 2015, a group of students and administrators agreed that the University would work toward the following 12 goals, many of which were already aligned with the University's strategic goals for diversity and inclusion. Here, you can track the University's Diversity Progress Report.
The Holy Days Calendar is an educational and accommodation resource for learning and planning classroom, academic, and co-curricular events. The calendar is not exhaustive of all major holidays in every religious tradition and some variances will exist due to regional differences and celestial cycles.
The Multiculturalism in Action Brown Bag Series showcases the multicultural and diversity-related scholar activities taking place on Towson University's campus. This is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to meet and engage with each other around multicultural scholarship in a supportive space.
Each lunch is hosted in the Liberal Arts Building, Room 4150 from 12 - 1:15 PM.
| Date | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 12 | Joan Antunes PhD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice | Moving to Collective Efficacy: How Inner-City Mobility Impacts Minority and Immigrant Youth Victimization and Violence |
| Mar 4 | João Pedro Amaral, Fulbright TA, Portuguese Instructor, PhD candidate in Literary Theory at Federal University of Santa Maria Brazil | 'A Dream of Liberty’: Socioeducation through music video creation in a youth detention
center in Santa Maria, Brazil |
| Apr 22 | Kate Collins PhD, Program Director of Interdisciplinary Arts Infusion | Unpacking YAAAS: A culturally sustaining art making initiative with refugee youth |
The President's Inclusive Leadership Institute is a professional development program for senior Towson faculty and staff that fosters personal development, interdisciplinary collaborations, and a strong connection to the campus community.
Speak Up! is a program developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which fosters the discussion of encounters that individuals have had with everyday bigotry, from stores to restaurants, the classroom, or the workplace.
Participants openly share information about incidents with family members, friends, classmates, roommates or coworkers. They tell stories regarding what they did or did not say — and what they wished they did or did not say.
Workshop participation provides an opportunity for an individual to develop and practice responses to address bigotry in a manner that is both effective and civil.
The University Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognize individuals and departments that foster greater awareness, understanding, and advancement of diversity and inclusiveness at Towson University.
Diversity at Towson University is broadly defined to include: race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, gender, ability, sexuality, and sexual orientation. Programs are offered to foster a receptive environment; facilitate recruitment, retention, and graduation of students; and promote multiracial learning for all students, faculty, and staff.
Towson University's Office of Admissions provides undocumented/DACA students with information about applying for in-state tuition rates. The Financial Aid Office has information on scholarships and aid options.
The Center for Student Diversity, Academic Advising Center, and Counseling Center also offer programs and resources specifically for undocumented/DACA students.