Towson University today announced that its Career Center has been named a recipient of the 2025 Handshake Career Spark Award, recognizing the institution among the top 2% of career centers nationwide for excellence in connecting students with meaningful career opportunities.

The Career Center at Towson University gives students a competitive edge by helping them find their passions. Resources available to students include preparing for an interview, resume writing and developing professional networks. The center also uses Handshake, a free, online job and internship database that offers recruiting services for students, alumni, employers, faculty and staff.

“Our Career Center truly embodies what makes this university special—dedication, innovation and a genuine commitment to student success,” says Vernon Hurte, senior vice president of student affairs and university life. “I’m constantly inspired by how their team opens doors for our students and helps them turn aspirations into real opportunities.”

Handshake—the nation’s largest early talent network—connects 75% of all U.S. college students through their schools’ career centers to more than one million active employers. Each year, Handshake celebrates career centers that demonstrate outstanding performance in student engagement, employer engagement and reporting and analytics. Out of more than 1,500 colleges and universities using the platform, only 40 institutions received this prestigious recognition in 2025. Towson University was in the 4-year public winning category.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by Handshake for the work we do every day to open doors for our students,” says Lorie Logan-Bennett, assistant vice president of career services at TU. “Our team is passionate about helping students explore their interests, build professional connections and discover career paths that inspire them. This award reflects our commitment to creating real opportunities that empower every student to turn their potential into purpose.”

The recognition underscores the Towson University Career Center’s leadership in fostering partnerships with employers and providing innovative career development tools that empower students to explore opportunities, gain experience and achieve professional success.

“Towson's Career Center is a powerhouse partner—proactive, engaged and always striving to innovate for their students. I love collaborating with such a dedicated team to make the most of Handshake’s features,” says a Handshake relationship manager.

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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 nearly 20,000 students and nearly 200 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.

About Handshake

Handshake’s mission is to democratize access to opportunity, and Handshake is the best place to start or accelerate a career—no connections, experience, or luck required. Our community includes 20 million+ students and young alumni from 1,500+ educational institutions, including four-year colleges, community colleges, and 350+ minority-serving institutions. We connect emerging talent with 1 million employers—from Fortune 500 companies to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and more. Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, London, and Berlin and teammates working globally.