TU President Schatzel, staff help with government transition teams

By Sean Welsh on Dec. 4, 2018

Seeing the positive impact anchor institutions like Towson University can make, new Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. is looking to tap into TU's momentum.

He turned to Towson University President Kim Schatzel, who — as the president of the largest university in Baltimore County, and with experience as a founder and CEO of a global advanced manufacturing firm — checks all the boxes needed to help foster job creation and economic growth in the county.

President Schatzel will co-chair the transition team's work group on Job Creation and Economic Development, alongside UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski and Integrity Title CEO Shina Parker.

"I’m honored and humbled to be serving with so many other leaders from across Baltimore County and Greater Baltimore on the County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s transition team as co-chair of the Job Creation and Economic Development work group," President Schatzel said. "As the largest university in Greater Baltimore, TU has created nearly $2 billion in economic output and generated nearly $70 million in local and state tax dollars in 2018. Our momentum can continue to help support the success of Baltimore County and Greater Baltimore."

More than 80 percent of Towson University graduates live and work in Maryland, and TU's economic impact supports more than 15,700 jobs across the state.

President Schatzel is one of only 2 percent of university presidents with significant c-suite business experience. This month, she is being recognized as an ICON Honoree by The Daily Record.

In addition to President Schatzel, the work group will also include TU's new Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Nick Hammond.

Hammond joined TU in 2018 and is charged with integrating and unifying TU's current assets — such as the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Venture Creation, TU Incubator, Student Launch Pad and academic entrepreneurship programs. His efforts support BTU—Partnerships at work for Greater Baltimore, by opening new pathways to partner with TU.

Bobbie Laur, Associate Vice President for Outreach within the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research at TU, is also aiding with Olszewski's transition team. Laur has been appointed to the team's committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Quality of Life. At TU, Laur oversees externally-focused teams that collectively work to match the expertise and resources of the university with external audiences throughout the region.

Towson University's expertise is being utilized beyond the county, as well.

In Howard County, TU's Daraius Irani is helping TU alum and recently-elected Howard County Executive Calvin Ball '97 as a member of Ball's steering committee. Irani is TU's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research. In his TU role, he fosters the development of partnerships between business, government, and education that contribute to the region's economic vitality.  

Also, Howard County government recently introduced outgoing TU Chief of Staff Sam Sidh as County Executive Ball's new chief of staff.

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