Q&A with Interim President Melanie Perreault
Get to know TU’s interim president
By TOWSON UNIVERSITY on February 1, 2023
Dr. Melanie Perreault assumed the role of Towson University’s interim president on February 1 after nearly four years as provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs.
Her appointment to the position, designated by University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman, came weeks after it was announced that former president Kim Schatzel would be leaving TU to become the 19th president of the University of Louisville. Schatzel served as Towson University’s 14th president for seven years before her departure at the end of January.
Perreault brings more than 25 years of higher education experience to her position as interim president, including four years as TU’s chief academic officer. In her role as provost, Perreault has overseen the entirety of TU's academic programming, including more than 125 degree programs, an average of 20,000 students annually and nearly 2,000 faculty, staff and administrators. Leadership for the university's research efforts, TU’s six academic colleges, the Honors College, the Office of Graduate Studies, the Albert S. Cook Library and the divisions of student affairs and enrollment management have also reported to Perreault as provost.
Even prior to joining TU, Perreault was very familiar with the Towson community. She was born in the region and spent many summers visiting her grandparents in the area, and later worked at Salisbury University, a fellow USM institution that works closely with TU faculty.
In her introductory Q&A upon her arrival in 2019, Perreault noted her proximity to TU allowed her to witness the university’s growth and transformation over the years – and cited it as one of the most compelling reasons she joined the university administration. Four years later, we caught up with Dr. Perreault once again as she begins her role as TU’s interim president.
What are your top priorities as interim president?
We are in a great position as a university right now, so my goal as interim president is to carry this existing momentum forward and ensure continued success for our students, faculty and staff. And of course, to provide a smooth transition for the next president of TU. I’m also really looking forward to representing Towson University in Annapolis this legislative session and seeing our Tigers around campus.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I’d say my leadership style is collaborative and data driven. I also believe in leading with a common-sense approach, especially when it comes to problem solving and strategic planning. And I’m a big proponent of having a strong team around you — our deans, department chairs, cabinet members, shared governance bodies and our advisory boards are comprised of talented and thoughtful leaders helping maintain TU’s momentum.
How has your position as provost prepared you for this role as interim president?
The role of a provost is really to be a problem solver — to listen, identify areas for improvement and then develop systemic initiatives that will strengthen academic endeavors and support student success. And those same skills translate very well to any leadership position. I’ve also been heavily involved in our academic programs and worked closely with our university leaders, so that helps, too.
What excites you most about TU’s future?
This is an exceptionally exciting time for Towson University. Campus is expanding with new state-of-art facilities. Our research enterprise is rapidly growing – in fact, we more than doubled research expenditures this last year. And support for our community is very strong. We have state leadership that values higher education; we’ve received new grants and awards that are fueling incredible programs, scholarship and research; and we are nearing our RISE Campaign goal of $100 million thanks to the philanthropic support of so many in our community.
How do you spend your free time?
Well, as a former Wisconsinite, a chunk of my free time during the NFL season is devoted to the Green Bay Packers. So, I have a little more free time than usual this time of the year. Outside of that, I enjoy keeping up with scholarship in my discipline — history — as well as spending time with family and friends, and cheering on our Tigers at athletic events and performances.
What else would you like the campus community to know about this transition?
As I said earlier, TU is in a great position, and I know that our reputation for excellence will help attract an outstanding leader. Chancellor Perman and the Board of Regents have a strong track record of bringing in very talented people to lead USM institutions. I’d also remind everyone that their voice matters. There are ways to get involved with this presidential search, and I hope the members of our community will take advantage of those opportunities as they come.
For information and updates on the national search for Towson University's 15th president, visit the TU President Search page. For the latest presidential news and messages to campus, follow The Office of The President on Twitter.