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.
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.
Beginning September 30, 2019 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 your 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 Multiculturalism in Action Brown Bag Series is focused on showcasing the multicultural and diversity related scholarly 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 | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 18 | Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion, Shaunna L. Payne Gold, Ed.D. | Extremely Difficult Dialogues: A Proven Model for Learning Both Inside and Outside the Classroom |
| Oct 16 |
Lecturer, Sepopo A. Howard M.A. & Christa Schmidt Ph.D. | Intergroup Dialogue Facilitation Training and Faculty Cultural Competency |
| Nov 6 | Assistant Professor, Tara B. Blackshear Ed.D. | Exploring Racial Diversity in Relation to Teachers as Role Models for Children in Physical Education |
The Presidents 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.
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 of dates will exist due to regional differences and celestial cycles.
The University Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognize individuals and departments that foster greater awareness, understanding and advancement of diversity and inclusiveness at Towson University.
Speak Up! Is a program developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which fosters discussion of encounters that individuals have had with everyday bigotry, from stores to restaurants, the classroom, or workplace.
Participants openly share information about incidents with family members, friends, classmates, roommates or co-workers. 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 appropriate responses in order to be ready to address bigotry in a manner that is both effective and civil. If you are interested in participating in a Speak Up! Workshop or would like to know more about this initiative, contact us at 410-704-0203.
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 TU Financial Aid Office provides guidance 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.