Eliminating barriers to college admissions for underrepresented communities

By TOWSON UNIVERSITY on August 1, 2024

Towson University has implemented a multi-pronged, community-effort approach to meet the needs of prospective Latine/x students during their college application journeys, including the addition of new programming.

“Having a diverse student body enriches the educational experience of all students and prepares graduates to thrive by teaching them to embrace a multitude of perspectives and ideas,” says Amy Moffatt, assistant vice president of admissions at TU.

As part of the enrollment strategic plan at TU, the admissions office has staff dedicated to recruiting Latine/x students to apply to the university. This includes developing pamphlets and flyers in Spanish, working with community-based organizations to meet prospective students where they are on their college admission journeys, providing transportation to students for info sessions and partnering with the Center for Student Diversity during recruitment events.

Additionally, and in partnership with the College of Health Professions (CHP), Towson University has launched the Salud Scholars program, which provides prospective students in the Latine/x community a roadmap to become health care professionals in Maryland. Housed in CHP, Latine/x students pursuing a degree in health care will benefit from a dedicated adviser and mentorship from faculty, staff and their peers. The support will continue throughout their entire time at TU and includes a career readiness component.

"By fostering an environment where every student feels seen, heard and valued, we help prepare our future health care leaders to bring diverse perspectives and unwavering dedication to their profession,” says Alejandra Balcázar, Latine/x coordinator in the Center for Student Diversity at TU. “It's crucial that Latine students not only gain access to education but also receive support from professionals who understand and can address the unique needs of our community.”

As part of these efforts, TU hosted its first Avanza Overnight Program to introduce students to the college experience. From July 24–25, rising high school seniors from Maryland and Virginia who wanted to learn more about the Latine/x student experience had an overnight college visit. Current TU students gave them a campus tour, they received a presentation on the basics of applying for college, conducted hands-on activities in the new Health Professions building and enjoyed some activities through campus recreation. They also got to experience eating in the dining hall and sleeping in a dorm room.

Current sophomore and student host for the Avanza Overnight Program, Abigail Hurley, finds this event important because representation matters, and prospective students have to see people that look like them doing well. Zion Parker, a current master’s student and student host, echoed the sentiments saying, “It’s really cool of Towson [University] to give people the opportunity to see and experience the campus.”

For more information about university admissions, click here.

For media inquiries, email Jamie Abell at jaabell@towson.edu.

About Towson University
Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with more than 20,000 students and 100 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff. Towson University in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) offers transfer students the flexibility to pursue a four-year degree after they complete an associate’s degree at a community college.