Katie Simmons-Barth honored as one of the state’s best!

The University System of Maryland’s (USM) Board of Regents annually honors the best that higher education in the state has to offer. This year, one of those distinguished awards went to Towson University’s own Katie Simmons-Barth.

Earlier this summer, Simmons-Barth won the “Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community” award from the USM Board of Regents for her work as a marketing supervisor at the University Store.

Ever since being notified of the win, Simmons-Barth admits that even after letting it sink in, she’s still a little overwhelmed by the honor.

“I do what I do because I love it and I never expected to get an award for it,” said Simmons-Barth. “In the spring, I sat at a table with the other TU nominees and I was truly in the best of company. I can’t believe that I was chosen out that group of folks. It is a real honor.”

The Extraordinary Public Service to the University or Greater Community award recognizes a staff employee of the USM community who, throughout their career, “has made a difference in the larger community in a collaborative and sustained matter.”

It is also based on a sustained record of service over a period of years, carried out through the individual’s roles in the university rather than as a private citizen.

Simmons-Barth not only does a lot for the university, she also provides important services to the greater Towson community.

She started working at the university as a student in 2002. Then, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in theatre in 2005, she began working at the university full time.

As marketing supervisor, Simmons-Barth is the direct link from the campus community to the University Store. She controls the store’s social media accounts and takes photos of products offered at the store. So, in those roles, she gets to interact with the community across many different platforms.

Along with her work for the university, Simmons-Barth serves as the season photographer at the REP Stage in Columbia. She also runs her own photography business and does a lot of photography for non-profit organizations.

“I love what I do,” Simmons-Barth said. “I love being connected to the students, the faculty and staff, and especially the Towson community as a whole.”