Nancy Grasmick named chair of Kennedy Krieger’s board of directors

TU’s presidential scholar is the first woman elected

By Megan Bradshaw on July 13, 2018

Nancy Grasmick

Towson University Presidential Scholar Nancy Grasmick, Ph.D., is the first woman elected as board chair by the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She has spent the last four years serving as vice chair.

Grasmick joined the board in 2011. She is a member of TU's Board of Visitors as well.

The Kennedy Krieger board also named Baltimore Ravens President Dick Cass as vice chair and elected two new members: Michael Singer, executive managing director of Newmark Knight Frank and Rick Rudman, president and CEO at MaxSalePrice.com.

Grasmick is the co-director of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Innovation and Leadership in Special Education, an innovative fellowship program that prepares teachers and administrators as special education leaders to optimize learning for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Known for her strong focus on student achievement, teacher quality and public-school funding, she served as Maryland state superintendent of schools for 20 years. During her tenure, Education Week ranked Maryland first in the country for five consecutive years. Grasmick also secured a coveted $250 million Race to the Top grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Related: From teacher to icon

Related: Education model developed by “Team Grasmick” wins Daily Record Innovator of the Year Award

“I am humbled and honored to be elected the next board chair of this prestigious organization that has done so much for so many children and families from around the world,” she said. “This will be a very exciting year as Bradley (Brad) Schlaggar, M.D., Ph.D., joins us as Kennedy Krieger’s new president and CEO. I’m very much looking forward to working with him, and the board, to continue Kennedy Krieger’s tremendous growth and impact.”

As TU's Presidential Scholar, Dr. Grasmick is tasked with collaborating with the seven colleges across campus to transform the university’s teacher preparation program into a national model — one that produces effective educators with the knowledge and commitment to prepare students for success. Thanks to her steadfast efforts, Towson University has already implemented a number of pioneering programs that put the university and its students in position to lead the nation.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.